Laura Barrera has dedicated her career to education, with nearly two decades in adult education and more than 30 years in K–12 instruction. Since 2019, she has served with the ESC Region 2 Crossroads Program, where she played a key role in its development and continues to support every adult learner who walks through the door.

Before joining adult education full-time, Laura retired in 2015 after a distinguished career with the San Antonio Independent School District. She taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels before becoming an Instructional Coach, guiding teachers to improve literacy instruction and student outcomes.

Her work has been recognized at both the state and national levels. In 1998, Laura was named Bilingual Teacher of the Year for the State of Texas, and in 2013 she was honored by Johns Hopkins University as the Literacy Coach of the Year for Talent Development.

In addition to her K–12 experience, Laura has taught ESL and served as an Adult Education supervisor for ten years, making her especially skilled at supporting English learners. She is passionate about helping teachers build strong professional learning communities to drive student success.

Beyond education, Laura serves as a Buddhist Dharma Teacher in San Antonio, Texas, where she continues to live and teach with compassion and purpose.