Louisiana Teacher Stranded Overseas, Fears for Students' Safety

Regina Harville, a teacher from Shreveport, is stuck in Thailand and struggling to get home as global tensions rise.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:35pm

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Regina Harville, a teacher from Shreveport, Louisiana, is currently stranded in Bangkok, Thailand, after a routine trip took an unexpected turn. Unable to return home, Harville is trying to continue teaching her first- and second-grade students online, but she fears for their safety, as she is unable to be physically present with them. Harville has created a GoFundMe to help cover the expensive costs of trying to get back to the United States.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges faced by teachers and students when unexpected global events disrupt the normal flow of education. Harville's situation raises concerns about the safety and well-being of students who are relying on remote learning, especially in areas of heightened geopolitical tension.

The details

Harville's trip began on March 28th when she caught a flight from Bangkok to Kuwait. However, the flight was diverted to India, and she was given less than 48 hours to leave the country. The airline refused to rebook her to Bangkok and instead offered a route through Saudi Arabia, which Harville declined due to the U.S. Embassy's warnings for citizens to leave the region. Harville has been trying to find a way home, but the process has been expensive, with travel costs ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Despite the challenges, Harville is continuing to teach her students online, but she is worried about their safety, as she is unable to be physically present with them.

  • On March 28th, Harville caught a flight from Bangkok to Kuwait.
  • The flight was diverted to India, and Harville was given less than 48 hours to leave the country.
  • Harville has been stranded in Bangkok, Thailand, since the unexpected diversion.

The players

Regina Harville

A teacher from Shreveport, Louisiana, who is currently stranded in Bangkok, Thailand, while trying to find a way home.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson

The representative for Louisiana's 4th Congressional District, which includes the Shreveport area, whose office is aware of Harville's situation and has advised her to enroll in the STEP program and call the district office to open a case on her behalf.

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What they’re saying

“If you're online with your students, what if that child's house or something gets hit? We have twenty-something kids online. I just can't imagine, and I'm a parent.”

— Regina Harville, Teacher

“Just getting to the border and trying to get home … it takes two to three days because of all the travel and cancellations. It's like three or four thousand dollars.”

— Regina Harville, Teacher

What’s next

Harville is continuing to work with the U.S. government and her congressional representatives to find a safe and affordable way to return home to her students in Shreveport.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges faced by teachers and students when global events disrupt the normal flow of education, and the importance of having robust contingency plans and support systems in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their location.