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Center for RelationaLearning
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  • Learning and Leading
    • RelationaLearning
    • RelationaLeadership
  • Relational Resources
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
    • Videos
    • Articles
  • Offerings
    • Coaching
    • Courses
    • Programs
    • Publications
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • History
    • Team

Start The Relational by Learning Us

Welcome to the Center for RelationaLearning. We would be happy to share a little about ourselves with you and have you get to know us!

George Otero

Co-Director

Born and raised in New Mexico, USA, Dr. George Otero is well known as an international consultant, social entrepreneur, and author. Otero has worked with a diverse body of clients throughout the USA, Australia, and the UK. George has spent his career insisting that positive relationships are the key to effective education, learning, and leadership. Relationships First are the result. He learned from thousands of conversations and social interactions that putting the relationship first in every aspect of personal and organizational life results in positive growth, joy, happiness, and success. These insights and practices apply to everyone. He discovered how play, games, story, dialog, art (music, dance, food), and ceremony were ways of relating that could empower participants of any age or stage to intentionally create the way they were relating. More recently in his work with hundreds of organizations, schools communities, and thousands of individuals, he has been highly successful in helping individuals, teams and social systems put relationships first in all they do; transforming sense of self, organizational culture, and strengthening community. Learning how to be relational first has led in every case to greater equity, inclusion, social justice, and organizational and personal alignment. His work is designed for each client and tailored to their specific relational needs.

Susan Chambers-Otero

Co-Director

Susan, a therapist in private practice and a CRL consultant, co-founded the Center for RelationaLearning (CRL) and serves as its co-director. She works extensively with teachers, students, administrators, educational leaders, and artists in multicultural communities, focusing on transformational education. Susan, along with Dr. George Otero, developed and implemented the RelationaLearning™ Model for school improvement. Before CRL, Susan co-directed Las Palomas de Taos, a multicultural learning center. She presents nationally and internationally, helping educators rethink their role and establish study tours for cultural exchange. Susan’s interests include working with indigenous peoples and rural communities, collaborating with Dr. George Otero to improve communities. She holds an M.Ed from Wake Forest University, a Masters in Counseling from Southwestern College, and an LPCC licensure for psychotherapy. Susan is co-author of two position papers and the book, RelationaLearning: Education for Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Consultants and Affiliated Partners

Bob Sparks

Bob Sparks

Lisa Otero

Sofia Martinez

Professor John Hasley

Robert Csoti

Maggie Farrar

Zoe Otero-Martinez

David Rothstadt

Josh Hobson

Lois Vermilya, M.A.

Bob Sparks

Bob is a seasoned entrepreneur, developer, educator, and community advocate with a passion for fostering personal well-being. Currently, he serves as a leadership coach and business advisor, championing RelationaLeadership to enhance both organizational performance and personal satisfaction. Bob advocates for leadership courage, creativity, and authenticity as pathways to joy and happiness. With a diverse background spanning roles such as founder, partner, therapist, professor, and superintendent, including founding and managing various ventures, he offers a broad perspective on leadership and personal growth. His expertise in building businesses, training leaders, and mentoring individuals towards joyful leadership lives has made him a sought-after development expert. Notably, he finds fulfillment in his role as an advisor and RelationaLearning Coach at Sparks Financial, a leading wealth management firm.

Lisa Otero

Lisa Otero is the Principal of Many Nations Academy in Portland, Oregon, the sole culturally specific, Native American-focused high school in the city. With three decades of experience in education, she champions a philosophy centered on Relationships First, culturally responsive pedagogies, and healing-centered engagement. Lisa's career has seen her serve as a classroom teacher, Dean of Students, Athletic Director, and Principal across California, New Mexico, and Oregon. She has led professional development sessions, workshops, and study tours for educators in the United States and Australia, co-authoring the book 'RelationaLearning: A Guide to Using Notebooks in the Classroom.' Committed to community-centered schooling, Lisa advocates for institutions that prioritize cultural expression, authenticity, and equity, aiming to dismantle oppressive systems and foster environments that are just, loving, and healing for all stakeholders. She envisions a shift towards human-centered schooling that celebrates and serves communities and individuals authentically.

Sofia Martinez

Sofia Martinez is a Marketing Coordinator and Program Specialist at the Center for RelationaLearning, where she has been instrumental in expanding the organization's online presence and facilitating access to its content during times of isolation. Since joining in 2020, Sofia has dedicated herself to supporting marketing initiatives and developing programs, notably contributing to the growth of the Online RelationaLiteracy Academy launched in 2023. Her recent role as publisher for the latest edition of 'Dialogue for Democracy' underscores her commitment to advancing educational resources. With a proven track record in marketing and program development, Sofia plays a vital role in driving the Center's mission forward. Connect with Sofia on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-martinez-91363b231.

Professor John Halsey

John is an Emeritus Professor at Flinders University, recognized for his substantial contributions to education, particularly in rural contexts. With a background spanning teaching, school leadership, and high-level educational administration, he brings a wealth of experience to his research and advocacy. His doctoral research, focusing on the role construction of rural school principals, sheds light on the intricate dynamics of rural education. John passionately advocates for accessible, high-quality education and care in rural areas, emphasizing their pivotal role in sustaining vibrant communities. He underscores the importance of nurturing rural educational leaders and ensuring governmental support to address the unique challenges and opportunities of rural education.

Robert Csoti

Robert is an educational consultant specializing in cultivating dynamic school cultures and effective leadership teams through Professional Learning days and coaching, with a focus on Relational Leadership. As a leadership coach and Principal mentor, he aids leaders in enhancing their capacity for community-building, team management, and innovation. Robert emphasizes the development of Emotional Intelligence to empower leaders to excel. Formerly, he served as the Principal of Elwood Primary School, known for its strong community involvement and innovative approach to learning. Collaborating with George, David Rothstadt, and Monash University, Robert contributed to the development of community-focused schools, advocating for personalized curricula and enhanced learning relationships. He believes in challenging traditional compliance paradigms and fostering leadership courage to enact meaningful change within educational communities.

Maggie Farrar

Maggie brings a wealth of experience from senior leadership roles in schools and Local Authorities in London and Birmingham, including serving as Director for Leadership Development, Research, and Succession Planning at the National College for School Leadership in England. Instrumental in shaping school-led self-improvement systems, she has designed leadership programs to foster system leadership and cluster-based school improvement approaches. Maggie's international work extends to supporting the development of educational leadership frameworks in Wales and collaborating on networked, self-improving school systems globally. Recently, she has focused on nurturing the 'inner life' of school leaders, leveraging mindfulness practices to enhance leadership presence and well-being. You can experience some of her life-changing mindfulness work through her current offering through the Center, “RelationaLeadership and the Power of Presence”. As a Trustee of 'The Story Museum' in Oxford, she contributes to their mission of transforming lives through storytelling. Visit her website at https://www.empoweringleadership.co.uk/ for leadership resources and more information about Maggie's work.

Zoe Otero-Martinez

Zoé Otero-Martinez brings over two decades of impactful service in New Mexico's non-profit sector, excelling in connecting communities and driving effective strategies. Her expertise encompasses consortium building, program management, fundraising, and comprehensive outreach efforts. Driven by a steadfast commitment to social justice, Zoé thrives on collaborating with like-minded organizations. Through the application of human-centered design principles, she pioneers innovative solutions to societal challenges. Zoé holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from the University of New Mexico, grounding her belief in the vital role of family wellness in community health and positive transformation. Currently serving as the Civic Engagement Manager for the City of Albuquerque, Zoé focuses on volunteer engagement, education partnerships, community conversations, and non-profit and philanthropic initiatives. Her approach recognizes the intrinsic link between civic engagement and family well-being, advocating for robust community involvement to nurture thriving, resilient families and communities.

David Rothstadt

David Rothstadt, residing in Victoria, Australia, has dedicated much of his career to collaborating with diverse communities, notably during his tenure as Principal of Noble Park Primary School. His partnership with George Otero facilitated a focus on community-building to enhance student learning, resulting in the collaborative publication 'Creating Powerful Learning Relationships: A Whole School Community Approach,' co-authored with Robert Csoti and George, subsequently expanded in a second edition to emphasize leadership. David advocates for partnerships between school communities and local/global organizations to mutually benefit and support youth, stressing the importance of schools evolving beyond mere educational institutions to become integral community organizations. He actively promotes this agenda through local conferences and engagement in New Mexico. Interested in social enterprises and policy development, David currently volunteers in the Disability Sector with the Office of the Public Advocate, exemplifying his commitment to practical community involvement and advancement.

Josh Hobson

Josh Hobson, a proficient web developer hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been crafting digital landscapes since 2022. A graduate of Sandia Preparatory School and Seattle Central College, Josh's journey into the realms of coding began early, fueling his passion for website development. With a keen eye for design and a knack for coding wizardry, he seamlessly blends functionality with aesthetics. Josh's dedication shines through in every line of code, evident in the website you're currently exploring. For more of his work, visit his website at joshhobson95.github.io.

Lois Vermilya, M.A.

Lois retired the summer of 2023 after 45 years of service as an educator and non-profit executive leading organizations dedicated to the well being of children and their families. Her lifetime of work was devoted to sustaining trusted partnerships for community-led change, collaborating with tribes, communities and organizations throughout the southwest United States; consulting with programs in California and with sister organizations in Latin America; and facilitating learning sessions with other national partners. Lois has been a colleague and friend with George Otero for over 25 years who cherished hosting study tours at her former Wemagination Learning Center to creatively explore how children and adults learn through play. She also traveled in partnership with the Center for Relational Learning to Melbourne Australia to provide collaborative leadership training and Wemagination learning opportunities with George’s colleagues there. Lois earned a Masters in Symbolic Anthropology from the University of New Mexico, is a national Zero To Three Leadership Academy Fellow, and has authored publications on dialogue, family and community engagement, collaborative leadership, and early childhood systems change. She believes that no civic decision should be made without first asking the question: what impact will this have on our children?

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Join Us On The Journey To Put Relationships First!

Contact Info

  • Dr. George Otero
  • 505.690.8123
  • info@relationalearning.com
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