As a child growing up in Colombia, Alexander Molina learned from an early age that he had a talent for numbers. His father, an architect, would often take him to construction sites, and Molina loved the excitement of watching a building take shape. Later, he would apply his love for math to teaching, helping his mother run a learning center for children with special needs. Degrees in civil engineering led to 20 years working in construction and project management, leading teams and managing facilities, including for one of Colombia’s major oil companies.
Now living in Asheville, Molina, 48, has combined his gifts for teaching and math at A-B Tech, where he works as a Multilingual Education Navigator and instructor in math and construction for students in Spanish language programs.
Molina first came to A-B Tech as an English language student back in 2021 during a sabbatical he took from his job as project manager at a construction firm in Colombia. Molina and his family were no strangers to Asheville. His wife Paola’s family moved to the area 20 years ago and had told Molina about A-B Tech’s English Language Acquisition (ELA) program. At the time, Molina spoke little English and hoped to move up in his company into a role that required English proficiency. So, the ambitious dad bid his wife and two children goodbye for one year and headed here to pursue his goal.
Molina studied full-time, taking classes at A-B Tech in the mornings and evenings. He thrived in his classes, which incorporated real-life role-playing and TV shows where students practiced speaking using the show’s script.
“It’s really good the way they teach English,” he said. “When I first came, my English was bad; I only knew numbers, maybe colors. After that year, I was really good. It was amazing. Like you wake up one morning and you speak English!”
By the end of his sabbatical year, Molina had reached a decision. He no longer wanted to work in construction management. Working from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. left little time for his family. What if he could be a teacher like his mother? Maybe use his math or language skills? He began to dream in a new direction.
Molina returned to his life in Colombia in 2022. Two years later, an opportunity arose for a change. Paola, who works as a project manager at the financial technology firm Volante Technologies, had the opportunity to transfer to Asheville, where her international company was beginning a new project. Molina’s family packed their bags, and he found himself back at A-B Tech’s Hemlock building, picking up where he left off.
Over the course of two years, he moved from level 2 to level 5 English classes. By March of 2025, Molina was offered an adjunct position teaching math in the Spanish-language high school GED program. Last December, he was offered a position as Education Navigator, which included teaching a new class: Basic Construction and Electrical (BCE) for Spanish-language students. His background in civil engineering, combined with his experience at A-B Tech as a student, made him a natural fit for the job.
“Having gone through my own journey adapting to a new country … I can relate to the challenges our students face,” he said.
His current role combines teaching four classes with advising students about career pathways in their native Spanish.
As an added job perk, Molina has made friends with staff and students in the college’s international community. His new life is a balance of American culture and his own native culture.
Molina enjoys hiking along the Blue Ridge with his family and playing soccer with Colombian friends in the park. His family enjoys getting together on weekends to cook Colombian food, including Chicken Ajiaco, a hearty chicken and potato soup native to Bogotá.
During family get-togethers, music is always present, often the fast, joyful beats of Salsa or Vallenato, a type of traditional folk music that incorporates accordion and percussion instruments.
With a balance of English and Spanish, Molina has managed to hold onto his roots while embracing life in Asheville. And with his new position, he’s able to share his knowledge of math and construction using skills that date back to childhood.
“It’s the best of both sides,” he said. “I teach well in Spanish, (so it’s better to work in that language), and I know I need to still improve my English. It’s amazing to be able to do both at the same time. This is the best job I could have. Now I can say my dream is complete.”
Learn more about A-B Tech's ELA and Spanish language classes at Adult Ed.
To hear traditional Vallenato music, check out Carlos Vives video at Carlos Vives - Hijo del Vallenato (En Vivo Desde Santa Marta) (Official Video).