Hispanic Heritage Month: Venezuelan teachers plant roots in Dallas ISD

Daniel Poveda and Monica Garcia, a dynamic couple of educators from Venezuela, have dedicated their careers to serving the Dallas ISD community and bringing their rich cultural heritage into the classroom. Their passion for teaching reflects their deep commitment to uplifting the next generation of students.

Poveda has been with Dallas ISD for 16 years, first as a teacher and now working as an instructional specialist for emergent bilingual and immigrant students in the Dual Language ESL Department. He arrived in the country at14 years old and remembers the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language. His passion for teaching was sparked by his experience and now helps students who are having the same journey.

“I was a newcomer student, attending ESL classes back in 1994,” Poveda said. “Learning English and moving to this great country had a significant impact on my life. After college, I knew I wanted to help students who are now in the same situation I was in.”

For Poveda, his Venezuelan heritage has been a guiding force. Growing up, he was taught values like respect, kindness, and hard work, which helped him navigate the challenges of immigration. 

“Without these principles, it would have been much harder to cope with the immigration process,” Poveda said. 

Poveda’s strong connection to his roots motivates him to encourage others to embrace their cultural identities. 

“I believe us, Latinos, should embrace our culture on a daily basis and prove that we contribute to society everywhere we go,” he said.

Likewise, his wife, Monica Garcia, a newcomer’s teacher at Herbert Marcus Leadership Academy, shares her husband’s passion for education. With 12 years in Dallas ISD, she strives to inspire her students and make a lasting impact. 

“The desire to contribute to the growth and development of young minds motivated me to enter the field of education,” Garcia said.

Garcia likes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with traditions, community gatherings, and stressing the importance of family. She proudly shares her cultural background with her students, helping them explore their own heritage in the process. 

“I teach my students to explore the achievements of notable Hispanic figures, and we work on projects that celebrate their Hispanic heritage.” Garcia said. 

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the couple enjoys celebrating not just their Venezuelan culture, but the entire Hispanic culture through various cultural events. Poveda points out the common culinary traditions that unite Latin America. 

“We all use plantain or corn leaves in some way, love rice, beans, and grains in general. And let me add—arepas are of Venezuelan origin!” Poveda said. 

Poveda and Garcia highlight the overlooked aspects of diversity and the importance of representation within Hispanic cultures. 

“I want people to see how our Hispanic heritage has European, African, and Indigenous roots, reflected in our food, music, languages, and most important of all, in our people,” Poveda said. 

As educators, the couple are also passionate about how education can elevate Latino voices. 

“Ensuring that Latino communities have a strong educational foundation will open doors for our children,” Poveda said. “Their voices will be heard once the tools, like education, are laid and built.”

“I’d like to see more emphasis on our diverse contributions and increased representation in various fields throughout the year.” Garcia said.

For Poveda and Garcia, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate cultural roots, and look to the future. Their journey from Venezuela to Dallas ISD is a testament to the resilience and contributions of Latino communities, and their work in education is paving the way for future generations to thrive.

Poveda believes that celebrating and honoring the diversity within Latino communities starts with openness and curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of stepping outside comfort zones and engaging with cultures that may be new. 

“Simply by being open, exploring other cultures, other celebrations, being out there, asking questions, making friends, comparing, and contrasting, there is never better or worse, simply different. The more we know, the better we become,” Poveda said.