Coach Dora Mendez sits down with author, mentor, and retired educator Dr. Angela Arias for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, family, education, resilience, and community.

Their connection began long before either of them became educators.

Their families lived next door to one another in the Dominican Republic and remained so close after coming to New York that Dora grew up believing Dr. Arias was part of her extended family.

Years later, they reconnect as colleagues to explore the lessons that shaped Dr. Arias’ life and more than three decades in education.

In This Episode

Dr. Arias shares why she tells the people she mentors:

“You need to set your own personal goals. Otherwise somebody else will set them for you.”

She also reflects on becoming the first college graduate in her family, navigating discouragement from educators, mentoring the next generation, embracing aging, and carrying forward the lessons her father taught her about work, education, and opportunity.

The conversation also explores a broader definition of community, one that includes not only those who support us, but the people and experiences that challenge us to grow.

Connect With Dr. Angela Arias

Learn more about Dr. Arias and her memoirs:

Half a Century Ago

Stories of My Dad as He Lay Dying

AngelaAriasAuthor.com

Watch the Full Conversation
https://youtu.be/u8i2JoLaMZo

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