This is me.

Coach. Consultant. Facilitator.
Writer. Healer.

Like many first-generation Latinas, despite the odds stacked against us,
I am no stranger to success.

The first in my family to attend college and graduate school; graduating from two Ivy League Institutions; Cornell and Columbia University, I went on to pursue several post-graduate certifications.

raised by a single-mother and growing up living below the poverty line, I became fiercely determined to do everything I could to “make it,” to honor my mother’s sacrifices and make my family proud.



A proud daughter of immigrants,

Determined to give back to my community and make a difference,

I returned to the Bronx after college and served as a classroom teacher. I fell in love with my students and the art of teaching. My students inspired me and grounded me every single day.




After 13 years in the classroom, motivated to broaden my impact, I became the national managing director for an education non-profit. There, I set the vision and led national training for teachers and instructional coaches in the country's most under-resourced schools and districts,  just like the ones I grew up in and taught in.










By my early 30's I had checked all the boxes.

I had proudly achieved the "American Dream"— education, family, career and finances.
I had "made it." But had I? 

Despite my successes, I felt something was missing. A deep, persistent feeling told me I was meant for more. 
But, I started to realize that while I believed in the infinite potential of my students and the educators I supported,
I struggled to fully believe in my own.


By my early 30's I had checked all the boxes.

I had proudly achieved the "American Dream"— education, family, career and finances.
I had "made it." But had I? 

Despite my successes, I felt something was missing. A deep, persistent feeling told me I was meant for more. 
But, I began to realize that while I believed in the infinite potential of my students and the educators I supported,
I struggled to fully believe in my own.


Growing up in the Bronx, my focus was on my survival

and on "making it." Despite a few supportive teachers who believed in me and opened doors for me, I was navigating a broken school system designed to replicate systems of oppression. 



Being the first in my family to achieve so much was both beautiful and challenging.  I worked tirelessly to meet the imposed standards of "success," and familial expectations, without the chance to truly freedom-dream for myself. I internalized limiting beliefs about my worth and potential, never having the opportunity to fully see and develop my unique brilliance and power—to, as Audre Lorde wrote, "define myself for myself." 

As Dr. Jeff Duncan Andrade says, my peers and I were experiencing schooling versus an education—and, there's a fundamental difference.


Growing up in the Bronx, my focus was on my survival

and on "making it." Despite a few supportive teachers who believed in me and opened doors for me, I was navigating a broken school system designed to replicate systems of oppression. 



Being the first in my family to achieve so much was both beautiful and challenging.  I worked tirelessly to meet the imposed standards of "success," and familial expectations, without the chance to truly freedom-dream for myself. I internalized limiting beliefs about my worth and potential, never having the opportunity to fully see and develop my unique brilliance and power—to, as Audre Lorde wrote, "define myself for myself." 

As Dr. Jeff Duncan Andrade says, my peers and I were experiencing schooling versus an education—and, there's a fundamental difference.


In 2010, a series of life-altering events, broke me down and
broke me open. 

I examined how my schooling and lived experiences had shaped my identity and beliefs--
uncovering, questioning, healing and rewriting the stories I had internalized.

This was the start of my journey toward healing and liberation.
I began unlearning my conditioning and fully stepping into the person I was created to be
versus who I had been conditioned to be.  

Now, I support my clients in doing the same:  whether it be for themselves or for the children they serve, to wake up to their infinite power and potential, to define themselves for themselves (Audre Lorde),
to freedom-dream...

And to live it.



allow me to support you

Professional Bio 

Bárbara Escudero is an award-winning educator, coach, consultant and writer with over twenty years of experience in the fields of education and personal leadership development. Bárbara holds a Master’s degree in Bilingual and Bicultural Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Latino Studies from Cornell University. She is a Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Master Practitioner through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) and accredited by the International Coaching Federation. 

Bárbara had the honor and privilege of serving as a classroom teacher for thirteen years working primarily with Linguistically Diverse students across a variety of bilingual programmatic models. She coached and supported both in-service and pre-service teachers throughout New York as an Adjunct Instructor at Long Island University’s Language Education program and as a Student-Teacher Supervisor at Teachers’ College Elementary Inclusive and Bilingual/Bicultural Education programs.

Most recently, Bárbara served as the Managing Director at Teach For America, leading the national efforts on Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Supporting Multilingual Learners. Her work involved setting the organizational vision for excellence in teaching and learning, designing and facilitating the national training and development of teachers and instructional coaches, and launching the organization’s first national fellowship focused on Linguistically and Culturally Responsive teaching. Her leadership transformed the core of the organization's training, impacting 2,000 staff, 3,000 teachers, and over 75,000 students annually across 52 regions. During her tenure, she also authored How to Practice Culturally Relevant Pedagogy.

Bárbara is a proud Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised, first-generation Latina whose life and work is committed to our self-actualization and self-determination as historically and systemically marginalized communities. She is the founder of Barbara Escudero, LLC, where she offers transformative, holistic leadership coaching and pedagogical training through liberatory, healing-centered practices. As a consultant, she provides professional development for educators, instructional coaches, and education leaders serving in under-resourced communities, focusing on Culturally Relevant Sustaining Pedagogy and support for Multilingual Learners.  Her work as coach focuses on supporting first-generation Latinas and Women of Color to lead and live fully, freely, boldly, and authentically. 

In her personal life, Bárbara is an avid traveler, a lover of the ocean and Salsa music, and a devoted Tía to her two nieces. She draws inspiration from the simple beauty and joy around her, whether it's the crashing waves of the sea, the sound of children laughing, or the smell of fresh tortillas on the comal.  



-Jennie B. , Customized Support Client

“Bárbara is a true expert in her field, but brings the humility and humanity of a lifelong learner to her work and collaboration, with listening and responsiveness at the center of her work.”

What Clients are saying

"Bárbara is authentic, intentional, and experienced. She brings her whole self to the work and creates the conditions for others to do the same. She creates environments where all people thrive."

-Jean P. , workshop participant 

"I always leave our sessions feeling like more fuel has been added to my fire, feeling fully seen and validated, and feeling lighter."

-Shayauna Brewer, coaching client

"I left our sessions feeling so empowered and like my truest self. It is not often that I feel so seen and affirmed."

-Yvette Rodriguez, coaching client

allow me to support you

I offer transformative, holistic coaching and pedagogical training that centers and unlocks our infinite potential and liberation as historically and systemically marginalized communities.

Let's partner. 

My Accreditations

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