Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Yslas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Ana Yslas. I was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. After graduating from dental school and becoming a dentist, I decided in 2004 to come to the United States to learn English. I enrolled in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program at BYU–Provo and completed two semesters there. During that time, I also worked as a Spanish teacher at the Missionary Training Center, which became one of my first experiences teaching Spanish in the United States.
After returning to Venezuela, I immediately noticed how much my country had changed. Having lived in a free country for a year, I recognized the signs of growing socialism at home—empty shelves in stores, long lines at gas stations, people openly expressing frustration with the government, and a general feeling of uncertainty that I had never felt before. My parents encouraged me to return to the United States and continue my education, but I struggled with the idea of leaving behind the profession I had worked so hard to earn. I prayed for guidance, and the answer was clear: I needed to return, even though I did not yet know what my path would look like.
Since the BYU application deadline had passed, I enrolled at Ensign College (then LDS Business College) in Salt Lake City. I chose the Medical Office Management program, hoping that learning medical vocabulary—through classes like anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology—would help me eventually pursue dentistry again in the United States. During this time, I worked for the Spanish Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a translator, including work on the Spanish Bible translation.
In my second semester at Ensign College, I met my husband. We started a family, and we now have three wonderful children who are my greatest joy. I stayed home with them until they were all in school, as I didn’t have family nearby to help with childcare. I now feel grateful for all those years filled with laughter, meal preparations, crafting, reading children’s books, and many hikes. While at home, I continued my education and completed a bachelor’s degree in public health. I also became a certified medical interpreter and worked as a contractor for the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City for five years.
Once my children were all in school, I returned to the workforce. I worked briefly in public health, but I quickly realized that spending every day behind a computer was not fulfilling. I wanted to work with people and make a real difference. Around that time, a dear friend told me that Utah desperately needed teachers and that with a bachelor’s degree, I could begin teaching while earning my license through an alternative route. I researched the requirements, earned my associate teaching license, and within six months accepted a full-time Spanish teaching position in the Davis School District.
The moment I started teaching, I knew I had found my true calling. I loved every minute—sharing my native language and culture with students brought me joy and purpose. In my pursuit of growth as an educator, I completed a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, followed by a second master’s degree in Educational Leadership. After teaching for five years, I ventured into the administrative side of education.
Today, I serve as the Assistant Principal at American Heritage School, Salt Lake City Campus. It is a gospel-centered school where students are eager to learn, parents are deeply involved, and I work alongside outstanding, dedicated educators. I love my job and feel deeply blessed to be here.
There was a time when I questioned whether I had anything valuable to contribute to this country. I worked cleaning airplanes, serving food, cleaning toilets, and doing whatever I needed to survive. But I never gave up on my dreams. Through hard work, faith, perseverance, and the grace of God, I have built a life filled with purpose, family, and service. My Spanish skills have even allowed me to serve as a narrator for Music and the Spoken Word in Spanish, reaching people around the world.
I am grateful for every step of my journey. I once thought I would spend my life cleaning teeth, but instead, I now have the privilege of helping educate minds and hearts. My life today looks very different from what I imagined 20 years ago, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I remember when I first came to the United States after feeling inspired by God that I needed to be here. When I started studying at Ensign College, I learned that because I was enrolled in the Medical Office Management program, I was legally allowed to work in fields related to that area—including dental offices. Since dentistry was my profession in Venezuela, I applied to a dental office near the apartment I was renting. I didn’t have a car at the time, so I chose the closest option.
My English proficiency was still very limited, but I did my best to get through the interview. The dentist was thrilled to learn that I had been a dentist in Venezuela, and he believed I would adjust quickly. On my first day, I put on my mask, and the dentist had his mask on as well. A patient came in, and he started asking me to do different tasks. But the truth was, the equipment, the materials, and many of the procedures were completely different from what I had learned back home. With the sound of the turbine, his mask covering his mouth, and my limited English, I simply could not understand what he wanted me to do.
I felt lost the entire day.
At the end of the shift, the secretary told me they would call me if they wanted me to come back. They never did. And I knew why—I had done terribly. I cried the whole way home. I wondered why God had brought me here. I didn’t know if I would ever work in dentistry again or if I would ever be good enough in this country.
I researched everything about becoming a dentist in the United States and realized how extremely expensive the process was. I would have needed to take the National Dental Board Exams Part I and II, apply to a U.S. university that accepted foreign trained dentists, and repeat years of schooling. With my very limited English and no money, it felt impossible.
That is how I ended up applying to work for the Church Office Building as a Spanish translator. I knew Spanish—that was something I could do. I needed to survive, pay for school, and figure out my future as I went.
Those early years were humbling.
I spent many Christmases without family, many winters with no car. My food budget for my first year in the United States was $3.00 a day. I ate a hamburger from the value menu of a fast food restaurant every single day. When I went on dates, I always ordered a hamburger, because I didn’t understand the menu well enough to feel confident ordering anything else. I was afraid of choosing something I wouldn’t like—especially if someone else was paying.
My husband was the first person with whom I ordered something other than a hamburger. He ordered fajitas, and we shared them. It seems like such a small moment, but for me, it was a sign of trust, comfort, and a new beginning.
I have now lived in the United States for almost twenty two years. I have not visited my homeland, seen my oldest brother, or my extended family for seventeen years. I have or hugged my father in twelve years. Being far from my family has been one of the hardest sacrifices of my life.
But in this country, I have also met people who have loved me, supported me, and cared for me. God has placed angels in my path at every step.
And through all of the challenges—the hunger, the loneliness, the uncertainty, the long winters, and the humility of starting from zero—I have become stronger, more compassionate, and more grateful. Every sacrifice has shaped me into who I am today
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
After being a stay-at-home mom for over ten years, I worked for five years in the Davis School District as a Spanish teacher, ESL instructor, and Latinos in Action teacher, and served as the head of the World Languages Department at a high school. I absolutely loved making an impact on my students’ lives through praise, encouragement, and knowledge.
With my Latinos in Action students, I motivated them to be the very best they could be. I would always tell them that in this free country, they could accomplish anything they set their minds to. And I truly believe they believed me. Nothing brings more joy to my heart than seeing them go to college, earn scholarships, get meaningful jobs, and serve their communities. Adults can become powerful mentors to young minds, and it was an honor to play that role in their lives.
Today, I am the Assistant Principal at American Heritage School, Salt Lake City Campus. For more than 50 years, American Heritage School has combined academic excellence with a deep commitment to spiritual growth. Founded in the 1970s by BYU professors in a small chapel in Utah County, the school has grown into a respected K–12 institution that serves families both locally and around the world. The school is rooted in LDS values and built upon principles of faith, freedom, and family. What sets us apart is our holistic approach to education: a comprehensive curriculum including arts, music, dance, sciences, languages, and history, a strong emphasis on personal responsibility, moral character, and global citizenship, and teachers partnering with parents to nurture both hearts and minds. It is a privilege and an honor for me to work at this school. I get to work with the most wonderful people—teachers who truly love their work and love their students. Our students come to school prepared to learn, surrounded by friends and joy. And our parents are deeply involved in their children’s education every single day. American Heritage School is a rare and special place, and I feel grateful to be part of it.
In addition, I own my own business called YSLA (Yslas Spanish Language Academy). In 2023, I started teaching Spanish classes to adults in the evenings in Kaysville, Utah. Every semester, I get more and more students, all through word of mouth. Teaching my adult students at night is definitely my hobby and passion—I absolutely love it!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
When it comes to personal growth, there are no better books for me than the scriptures. In addition, I love reading uplifting and inspiring books. Some of my favorites are classics such as How to Win Friends and Influence People and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, as well as modern titles like Atomic Habits, Superbosses, Mindset, Radical Candor, The Little Voice in Your Head, The Naked Communist, among others.
I also love podcasts! Some of my favorites include Mel Robbins, The Ancient Tradition, and The Principal School Podcast.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yslaspanish.com/
