Lupita Barrera
Director, Education and Interpretation
Institute of Texan Cultures
Lupita Barrera began her career in field interpretation at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Her first appointment in 2000 was as Mission Manager of Goliad State Park, where she was the lead interpreter. Following this assignment, Ms. Barrera served as the South Texas regional interpretive specialist for nine state parks and four historic sites. As a nationally certified interpretive trainer and planner, she designed, developed and led the implementation of interpretive master plans throughout the state. She is an experienced teacher and instructor in traditional and non-traditional classroom settings.
Other museum and interpretation experiences include director of community and cultural programs at the Austin Children’s Museum. She was a cultural programs and museum consultant for many years. Among her clients were Pyramid Studios of Richmond, Va., the Museo de la Historia Mexicana in Monterrey, Mexico and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum.
At ITC, Ms. Barrera oversees the department of education and interpretation. Her responsibilities include managing the education, interpretation and outreach programs, and the development and delivery of all workshops, programs and materials that support exhibits. She is also responsible for teacher development programs. She participates in the content development of exhibits and most recently she is engaged in enhancing academic connections with UTSA.
Ms. Barrera holds a Master’s degree in American Studies with an emphasis in Museum Studies from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Public Speaking and Theater from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University), San Marcos. She holds certifications as an interpretive guide, trainer and planner from the National Association of Interpretation.