When Alexander Lashly met his wife, Andrea Medina, in their home country of Venezuela 16 years ago, their professional paths looked quite different. Alexander was working in banking and law, while Andrea was already an experienced elementary educator, deeply committed to her students and her craft. Watching Andrea thrive in the classroom—and feeling that something essential was missing from his own work—Alexander made a bold decision: he, too, would step into education. That leap reshaped both their lives, launching a shared journey rooted in creativity, resilience, and a love of learning. Search Associates (SEARCH) has been privileged to support them along the way.
Alexander has never looked back since choosing a career in teaching. After leaving Venezuela for Panama, he initially worked as a freelance illustrator, but the role left him feeling unfulfilled. An opportunity to teach art at a small school run by a friend’s mother proved transformative. In the classroom, Alexander discovered both his sense of purpose and his professional home. Inspired by this experience, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy and was soon offered a position at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, where his passion for education flourished alongside his wife, Andrea.
Resilience has played an important role in Alex and Andrea’s journey. After leaving Venezuela due to the country’s political situation, they navigated the challenges of starting over in a new place while staying connected to the values and experiences that shaped them. Along the way, they supported one another, rebuilt their professional lives, and continued to grow as educators. These experiences have contributed to their empathy, flexibility, and ability to guide students through change with understanding and confidence.
The couple’s most recent chapter took place at the Metropolitan School of Panama, Andrea as a Grade 3 teacher and Metacognition Lead, and Alex as Visual Arts and STEAM teacher, as well as MIT Lead for their school’s collaboration with MIT.
These days, Andrea is a dedicated International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme homeroom teacher and Metacognition Lead with over a decade of IB experience, and Alex is an IB Middle Years Programme Design teacher with a background in Visual Arts and STEAM leadership. Alex explains why teaching has been deeply fulfilling for him:
Education allows me to combine creativity, innovation, and collaboration. What I love most is watching students’ ‘aha’ moments—when curiosity sparks into understanding and creativity. Andrea echoes this passion, finding joy in inquiry-driven teaching and in helping students discover their strengths.
When the time came to seek their next adventure, Alex and Andrea registered with Search Associates (SEARCH) after receiving enthusiastic recommendations from fellow international educators who spoke highly of the organization’s guidance and support. Encouraged by these shared experiences, the couple decided to move forward. Shortly after joining, they were paired with Senior Associate Bob Imholt, whose insight, responsiveness, and deep understanding of their professional goals helped them navigate the recruitment process with clarity and confidence. Bob’s support proved instrumental in helping them reflect on their journey and take meaningful next steps in their international teaching careers.
The couple navigated the process with a clear focus: finding a school that aligned with their values of creativity, collaboration, innovation, empathy, equality, and global mindedness. The SEARCH platform helped them stay focused and connect with schools that fit their vision, while support from colleagues provided extra encouragement. But attending the SEARCH Cambridge fair was pivotal, allowing them to be clear about a perfect match. Alex recalls,
During one of those one-on-one conversations that you get to have at a fair, we felt a genuine connection with Matthew Parr, Head of School at Nagoya International School. We left the fair not only with new positions, but also with the certainty that Nagoya International School was the right choice for our family. That personal interaction gave us a true sense of the school’s culture and community—something no website could fully capture.
Now settled in Japan, Alex and Andrea reflect on the rewards that international education continues to bring: teaching in diverse classrooms, learning alongside colleagues from around the world, and raising their children in a truly global environment. Their sons, Santi (10) and Tomás (4), are already thriving in this new chapter. Andrea shares:
Our boys are growing up immersed in different cultures and languages. They are loving the Japanese culture and feeling so welcomed by the wonderful new community at school. It’s giving them a global perspective that will stay with them for life.
Asked what advice they would offer to other educators considering international teaching, Alex is clear:
Be patient, and don’t get discouraged by a no. The right school is waiting for YOU, and you will find it. Every rejection is simply redirection toward a better fit. For us, the one-on-one interviews at the Boston fair made all the difference—they allowed schools to see who we truly are. Trust the process, stay positive, and the perfect match will come.
For Alex and Andrea, that perfect match is Nagoya International School, where their next chapter as educators—and as a family—has already begun.
