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  • Past Offerings

Educational Leaders as Warriors for the Human Spirit with Dr. Margaret Wheatley

Who: School/district leader teams 

When & Where:

  • Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. – Noon (virtual) 
  • Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. – Noon (virtual) 
  • Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. – Noon (virtual) 
  • Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. – Noon (virtual) 
  • Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. – Noon (virtual) 
  • Nov. 30 from 8:30am – 3:30pm in person
    • DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Downtown
      1646 Front St.
      San Diego, CA 92101

Warriors for the Human Spirit is an in-depth leadership development process for experienced leaders, activists, and involved citizens, designed and led by Margaret Wheatley and firmly grounded in her decades of global experience with leaders and communities. Leading well in education has become increasingly difficult; school leaders face challenges and pressures coming at them from all directions. Economic, social, political, and cultural issues intensify even as relationships, money, and time diminish dramatically. Without these three primary resources, it is almost impossible to make wise decisions or to persevere. Faced with so much uncertainty and confusion, the rise of fear, anger and aggression, increasing bureaucracy, and the indifference of political leaders, educational leaders must make a truly existential choice: Do I withdraw into fatigue and cynicism and leave this critical profession, or do I use my role to create the conditions so that staff, students, and families can be creative, generous, and kind?

Warriors train to be able to offer ourselves in two essential ways:

  1. Through our presence and our embodiment, we serve as reminders and role models of the best qualities of being fully human: our generosity, kindness, creativity, and need for community.
  2. We bravely stand in contrast to the current practices and dynamics of this time by creating Islands of Sanity. We know what must be created and preserved to create good human lives and societies, and our work, for and with our schools, embodies this

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LaCora Stephens

Marketing and Communications

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.

Eric Barela, Ph.D.

Senior Consultant, Raya Cooper Impact Consulting

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.