School leaders’ days are full of unforeseen challenges, leaving little time to focus on professional development and strategic planning. Through Teaching & Learning, LAEP empowers vision- and mission-driven schools to develop engaging curriculum, adopt relevant assessments, and strategically plan for and implement change, while building environments that prioritize collaboration and trust-building.
Our Teaching & Learning Coordinators enhance instructional leadership teams’ capacity to support professional development by:
Instructional rounds offer a judgment-free space for teachers, teaching assistants, parents, and students to observe instruction through the lens of an identified problem of practice. Participants observe classroom instruction and gather data, then come together to look at trends, celebrate successes, and develop plans for future growth.
At LAEP, we believe that all learning is STEAM learning. Rather than something extra to tack on to an already crowded instructional day, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) can be integrated into existing curriculum, practices, and school activities. LAEP’s STEAM Teaching & Learning team helps schools and districts align goals for integrated STEAM learning in K-12 settings.
Instructional Coaching & Support: We empower teachers to integrate STEAM into classroom instruction. We do this through observation, non-evaluative feedback, coaching, and instructional support (such as modeling, co-planning, and co-facilitation). We also support administrators in developing an instructional vision around STEAM learning.
STEAM Culture Building: We create engagement and excitement around STEAM among students, families, and the community through activities like:
LAEP can come alongside your community, as thought partners and collaborators, empowering you to drive transformation and liberation.
LaCora is a seasoned communications professional with a passion for using multimedia
storytelling to empower movements for social justice and equality. For over 13 years, she has
honed her skills as a versatile multimedia director, overseeing media operations across diverse
organizations, including the NAACP Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch and The Shirley Chisholm
Education Foundation. Her deep understanding of the education and equity landscape fuels her
creative vision, allowing her to craft impactful narratives that resonate with audiences.
With strategic communication and collaboration, LaCora excels in developing and executing
compelling multimedia campaigns that not only raise awareness of critical issues but also
inspire action and drive meaningful change. Her proficiency in concept development, production
execution, and team leadership ensures projects are delivered with exceptional quality.
Furthermore, LaCora fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders,
cultivating partnerships that maximize campaign reach and impact.
LaCora's educational foundation began with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from
Florida A&M University. She then pursued a master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to
Speakers of Other Languages) from Alliant University of San Diego. This passion for
storytelling, fueled by her background in education, translates to her belief in the power of
shared narratives. Her work in this area was recognized through her selection as a Women in
Film Mentee and film director for Viola Davis’ sponsored film showcase, Diversity in Cannes.
Now, LaCora leverages her love of storytelling and commitment to educational equity in her role
leading marketing and communications for Los Angeles Education Partnership, while also
serving on the board of the Pasadena African American Film Foundation.
Dr. Eric Barela has worked as a measurement & evaluation professional for over 2 decades, helping organizations to better understand and act on their social impact. He’s currently a Senior Consultant with Raya Cooper Impact Consulting and previously worked at Salesforce, where he led efforts to measure the social impact of the company’s work with nonprofits and educational institutions across the globe. He began his career working with the Los Angeles Unified School District and with the nonprofit, Partners in School Innovation. Eric previously served on the Board of the American Evaluation Association and currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Journal of Evaluation.
Eric grew up in East LA and was educated in the Montebello Unified School District. He holds a Ph.D. in education from UCLA. He loves a good road trip, with his husband serving as trusty navigator.
