What’s Next: Design Your Journey
Santa Fe, NM / June 30 - July 2 , 2025
Price:$1199 early bird pricing. $1299 after April 1, 2025
“This life you are living is one of many lives you will live.”
Designing Your Life, Evans and Burnett
Transitions surround us. We move in and out of schools, into new roles and certainly through the range of life stages. Some are expected and planned; others just happen for personal and professional reasons. No matter what the catalyst, these transitions offer us so much perspective as well as a unique opportunity to learn about oneself and about what the future of “you” might hold.
This distinctive L+D workshop will give you the gift of time and space for introspection and reflection, as well as offer design skills and ways to take action. Through a combination of provocative activities such as empathy interviews, journey maps, the human-centered design process, and journal prompts, you will have the opportunity to both reflect on where you’ve been and plan for what’s next, whether it's a personal or professional next step. You will have time to think deeply about the questions you are hoping to answer and use curiosity to imagine possibilities for yourself and the path ahead of you. How can you use your best resource–YOU–as a tool, resource and source of wisdom for digging deeper into your why as you look forward? Best of all, you’ll be in the company of fellow travelers who are also working to create meaning from their paths.
Expect to be working individually and in small groups to explore essential questions, to learn through the stories of others, and to share one’s process and insights along the way. We will be utilizing the environment of Santa Fe to fuel our work through the local art, walking paths and opportunities in this special city. Our three days together will culminate in a warm and supportive “salon” where you might offer your insights, a personal story, or a piece of salient wisdom–whatever you feel comfortable to share.
This retreat will be followed by quarterly virtual meetings and a buddy pairing to allow you to stay connected, be accountable to yourself and reflect on your journey. These will be scheduled once per quarter for the 2025-26 school year. The facilitators are also available for a 1:1 coaching session in the fall of 2025.
June 30 -July 2, 2025// Santa Fe, NM
Price: $1199 early bird pricing. $1299 after April 1, 2025
Program Info and Details
Who Should Attend?
For school leaders or those contemplating a transition to “what’s next?” outside of their current role.
For those who need time for reflection or creative inspiration for what’s next in their current place of work noting the particular skills needed to navigate change internally in an organization.
For those in the midst of a big change in life–and wondering what 2.0, 3.0 looks like–at any stage of life. (New marriage, new parent, divorce, empty nesters, new role, geographic move)
For those who are looking to transition out of a role or school and wondering how to “end well” or how to make a smooth and successful transition.
For those who are interested in learning about utilizing human-centered design skills to design your role, your stage in life, or your work in schools.
For schools and school leaders to enhance retention by allowing space for career and personal exploration—in and outside of their school.
Price
Price:$1199 early bird pricing. $1299 after April 1, 2025. Includes meals noted above, supplies and some cool L+D swag! Travel and hotel are not included.
Dates and Location
Our retreat will be held at La Fonda On the Plaza in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, starting Monday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Please plan to stay through the evening of Wednesday, July 2.
Meals: Breakfasts at La Fonda on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Generous appetizers and drinks on Monday night
Light dinner at the salon on Wednesday night
Rooms (limited) are available at the historic La Fonda On the Plaza for a rate of $259/night plus taxes (lafondasantafe.com). Walk to restaurants, shops, and museums right from the hotel. Other options include the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, a few minutes walk from La Fonda, or you can check out other local hotels and AirBnbs near the downtown Plaza.
Flights are available into Albuquerque (one hour drive or shuttle service from the hotel) or Santa Fe. Once in Santa Fe, a car is not needed unless you plan to take any adventures outside of the city.
Draft Schedule
Day 1: Looking Inward Through Writing and Personal Reflection
Journey mapping, walking a historic labyrinth, drafting your professional or personal mission statement
Evening: Cocktails, heavy appetizers
Storytellers who have traveled similar paths
Day 2: Artistic Exploration and Storytelling
Storytelling, photography or art to share key elements of you, your values, your journey
Activities may include visits to local art museums, photography opportunities, meetings in small groups to practice storytelling
Introduction to design thinking
Evening: Dinner on your own or with others in Santa Fe
Day 3: Planning and Creation of Future You
“Designing Your Life”--using the skills we have learned to create models for future paths
Evening: Final salon: Share your journey–what do you want to tell and how do you want to tell it?
Refund Policy
When requested in writing, L+D will refund registration fees as follows: 75% of registration fee when requested 45 days or more from first day of the seminar; 50% of registration fee when requested 31–44 days from first day of the seminar; no refund within 30 days of the first day of the seminar.
Facilitators
Crystal Land
Crystal’s background as a literature and memoir writing teacher combined with her interest in the many ways we grow and evolve as leaders and humans has led her to develop this collaborative retreat. She sees writing as a process of discovery and exploration we can each enter into wherever we are in our lives. A long-time journaler and writer, she is excited to be both a facilitator and writer in Santa Fe, where the sky always tells a story.
Shu Shu Costa
Shu Shu started her career oh-so-long ago as a professional writer, editor, and author. These days, her writing is mostly an internal journey of reflection - sometimes a solace, sometimes a challenge, sometimes a moment of insight and truth. She is a great believer in examining the stories of our lives to understand more deeply who we are, where we’ve been, and where we dream of going…and she is eager to hear your stories in beautiful Santa Fe.