Staff
Gretchen Aerni, Site Director/Communications
Gretchen Aerni is the Site Director at St. Margaret's, Juniper Gardens, Pemberton Park, and Chalet Manor and oversees communications. While raising three children with her husband, Gretchen has worked as a sixth grade teacher in Olathe, for a non-profit childhood anxiety network, as a substitute teacher, and as a media buyer. She also owned her own spirit wear business for ten years. Gretchen played volleyball at Northeastern University in Boston, MA before transferring "back home" to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to earn a journalism degree. Several years later, she earned a teaching certificate from Ottawa University-Kansas City. She is a strong believer in the one-on-one mentoring element of The Learning Club and inspiring youth to live their potential and dreams. You can contact her at GAerni@learningclubkck.org.
Gretchen Aerni is the Site Director at St. Margaret's, Juniper Gardens, Pemberton Park, and Chalet Manor and oversees communications. While raising three children with her husband, Gretchen has worked as a sixth grade teacher in Olathe, for a non-profit childhood anxiety network, as a substitute teacher, and as a media buyer. She also owned her own spirit wear business for ten years. Gretchen played volleyball at Northeastern University in Boston, MA before transferring "back home" to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to earn a journalism degree. Several years later, she earned a teaching certificate from Ottawa University-Kansas City. She is a strong believer in the one-on-one mentoring element of The Learning Club and inspiring youth to live their potential and dreams. You can contact her at GAerni@learningclubkck.org.
Valerie Contreras, Assistant Director of the Teaching Internship
Valerie Contreras is the Assistant Director of the Learning Club Academy Teaching Internship. Valerie has lived in Kansas City, KS all her life. She graduated from J.C. Harmon, Class of 2012, and she is a first-generation college graduate. She has a liberal arts A.A. degree from Johnson County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her professional experience comes from working with children and volunteering. Valerie's passion is working with children in an educational setting. She enjoys seeing the growth and changes students go through over the time. It is vital to her that children see themselves in the people who serve them. She strongly believes in working to bring all the knowledge these children gain back into the community. You may contact her at VContreras@learningclubkck.org.
Valerie Contreras is the Assistant Director of the Learning Club Academy Teaching Internship. Valerie has lived in Kansas City, KS all her life. She graduated from J.C. Harmon, Class of 2012, and she is a first-generation college graduate. She has a liberal arts A.A. degree from Johnson County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her professional experience comes from working with children and volunteering. Valerie's passion is working with children in an educational setting. She enjoys seeing the growth and changes students go through over the time. It is vital to her that children see themselves in the people who serve them. She strongly believes in working to bring all the knowledge these children gain back into the community. You may contact her at VContreras@learningclubkck.org.
Amy Dickens, M.Ed., Site Director
Amy Dickens is the Site Director for Cyrus K. Holliday. She has worked in education for more than 20 years and has taught many elementary grade levels during this time. Throughout her time as a teacher, she has also enjoyed volunteering to tutor all ages and to assist in literacy projects throughout the Kansas City area. She has a master’s degree in education from Baker University and received her undergraduate from UMKC. She is passionate about helping children gain a love of learning, as well as encouraging them to realize how valuable knowledge can be to their lives. You may contact Amy at ADickens@LearningClubKCK.org or 913-609-9290.
Amy Dickens is the Site Director for Cyrus K. Holliday. She has worked in education for more than 20 years and has taught many elementary grade levels during this time. Throughout her time as a teacher, she has also enjoyed volunteering to tutor all ages and to assist in literacy projects throughout the Kansas City area. She has a master’s degree in education from Baker University and received her undergraduate from UMKC. She is passionate about helping children gain a love of learning, as well as encouraging them to realize how valuable knowledge can be to their lives. You may contact Amy at ADickens@LearningClubKCK.org or 913-609-9290.
Ray Freeman, Assistant Site Director
Ray Freeman is the Assistant Site Director at four sites. He was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Schlagle High School which propelled him to Kansas State University. Ray’s passion for assisting the youth of the community is derived from the loss of family and friends to violent crime. With a background in Brazilian Jiujitsu, Ray hopes to continually work to bring positive aspects of martial arts (Discipline, Critical thinking, Humility, Patience, Confidence, all while having fun) into the lives of kids that need it most. He is motivated by his 2 year old son and girlfriend, Kat. You can reach Ray at RFreeman@LearningClubKCK.org.
Ray Freeman is the Assistant Site Director at four sites. He was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Schlagle High School which propelled him to Kansas State University. Ray’s passion for assisting the youth of the community is derived from the loss of family and friends to violent crime. With a background in Brazilian Jiujitsu, Ray hopes to continually work to bring positive aspects of martial arts (Discipline, Critical thinking, Humility, Patience, Confidence, all while having fun) into the lives of kids that need it most. He is motivated by his 2 year old son and girlfriend, Kat. You can reach Ray at RFreeman@LearningClubKCK.org.
Brad Grabs, M.Ed., Founder and Executive Director
Brad Grabs founded the Learning Club in 2002 after being mugged by two teenage boys a couple of blocks from Blessed Sacrament Church. Giving up a career as a teacher at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Brad was moved by the assault to devote his time and energy to inner city youth. He has an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Arkansas, and a master’s degree in Christian spirituality from Creighton University. He and his wife and children live across the street from the Blessed Sacrament Learning Club site. Contact Brad at 913-244-5838 or bgrabs@learningclubkck.org.
Brad Grabs founded the Learning Club in 2002 after being mugged by two teenage boys a couple of blocks from Blessed Sacrament Church. Giving up a career as a teacher at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Brad was moved by the assault to devote his time and energy to inner city youth. He has an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Arkansas, and a master’s degree in Christian spirituality from Creighton University. He and his wife and children live across the street from the Blessed Sacrament Learning Club site. Contact Brad at 913-244-5838 or bgrabs@learningclubkck.org.
Dawn Grabs, IT Support
Dawn Grabs oversees the website, database, and other projects. She has been with the Learning Club since 2012. Dawn’s other experiences include 6 years at Unbound, 3 years at Wells Fargo and two years as a missionary and English teacher in the country of East Timor. She serves on the board at Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center in Kansas City, KS, and spends most of her time with their children John, Emmanuel, and Frances. You can contact her at DawnGrabs@gmail.com.
Dawn Grabs oversees the website, database, and other projects. She has been with the Learning Club since 2012. Dawn’s other experiences include 6 years at Unbound, 3 years at Wells Fargo and two years as a missionary and English teacher in the country of East Timor. She serves on the board at Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center in Kansas City, KS, and spends most of her time with their children John, Emmanuel, and Frances. You can contact her at DawnGrabs@gmail.com.
Angela Gutierrez-Suarez, Support Staff
Angela Gutierrez-Suarez is a student at Donnelly College studying Criminology. She graduated from Sumner Academy in 2019. Angela has volunteered at various after school programs helping kids with their school work as well as teaching character development. She loves working with kids in the community and is a strong believer that setting a good foundation for kids to succeed in life is very important and loves being a role model for the kids. You can reach Angela at Angela@LearningClubKCK.org.
Angela Gutierrez-Suarez is a student at Donnelly College studying Criminology. She graduated from Sumner Academy in 2019. Angela has volunteered at various after school programs helping kids with their school work as well as teaching character development. She loves working with kids in the community and is a strong believer that setting a good foundation for kids to succeed in life is very important and loves being a role model for the kids. You can reach Angela at Angela@LearningClubKCK.org.
Sister Pat Johannsen, SCL, Site Director
Sr. Pat serves as Site Director at Chalet Manor. She is from Montana originally, and is a member of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. She has a degree in elementary education and a masters degree in education with a concentration in reading. Sr. Pat taught in elementary Catholic schools for a total of 15 years as well as in a teacher training college which trained elementary teachers in South Sudan. Sr. Pat is passionate about reading and also enjoys doing embroidery and being outdoors. You can contact Sr. Pat at 913-202-3076 or PJohannsen@LearningClubKCK.org.
Sr. Pat serves as Site Director at Chalet Manor. She is from Montana originally, and is a member of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. She has a degree in elementary education and a masters degree in education with a concentration in reading. Sr. Pat taught in elementary Catholic schools for a total of 15 years as well as in a teacher training college which trained elementary teachers in South Sudan. Sr. Pat is passionate about reading and also enjoys doing embroidery and being outdoors. You can contact Sr. Pat at 913-202-3076 or PJohannsen@LearningClubKCK.org.
Gayle Lee, Ed. S., Director of the Teaching Internship
Gayle Lee grew up in the northeast of Kansas City, Kansas. Her education started in KCKPS, continued at KCKCC and Emporia State University, and culminated in two master's degrees in Business Administration and Educational Administration from Baker and UMKC. She is married with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. She has worked with many groups in education and loves the Learning Club and working in the community. Gayle can be contacted at GLee@LearningClubKCK.org.
Gayle Lee grew up in the northeast of Kansas City, Kansas. Her education started in KCKPS, continued at KCKCC and Emporia State University, and culminated in two master's degrees in Business Administration and Educational Administration from Baker and UMKC. She is married with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. She has worked with many groups in education and loves the Learning Club and working in the community. Gayle can be contacted at GLee@LearningClubKCK.org.
Tha Len Sung, Support Staff Member
Tha Len Sung is a student at Kansas City Kansas Community College studying accounting. She came to the United States from the Chin State in Burma with her family in 2014 and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 2018. Tha was one of the first interns hired during the Learning Club's internship pilot program with Wyandotte in spring 2018. She loves coming to the Learning Club because she has a chance to help younger students. She said not only does she help them learn, but she also learns a lot from them. Contact Tha at Volunteer@LearningClubKCK.org.
Tha Len Sung is a student at Kansas City Kansas Community College studying accounting. She came to the United States from the Chin State in Burma with her family in 2014 and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 2018. Tha was one of the first interns hired during the Learning Club's internship pilot program with Wyandotte in spring 2018. She loves coming to the Learning Club because she has a chance to help younger students. She said not only does she help them learn, but she also learns a lot from them. Contact Tha at Volunteer@LearningClubKCK.org.
Laura Swan, M.Ed., Director of Operations
Laura Swan is Director of Operations at the Learning Club. She has taught in the Kansas City, Missouri public school district and in Columbia, Missouri. She has also taught English as a second language in Seoul, South Korea and Naples, Italy and served with the AmeriCorps education program Jumpstart. She has a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a Master of Education in literacy from Mizzou and is a certified teacher at the early childhood and elementary school levels. Contact Laura at 734-308-9399 or LSwan@LearningClubKCK.org.
Laura Swan is Director of Operations at the Learning Club. She has taught in the Kansas City, Missouri public school district and in Columbia, Missouri. She has also taught English as a second language in Seoul, South Korea and Naples, Italy and served with the AmeriCorps education program Jumpstart. She has a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a Master of Education in literacy from Mizzou and is a certified teacher at the early childhood and elementary school levels. Contact Laura at 734-308-9399 or LSwan@LearningClubKCK.org.