Staff
Phyllis Cason, Education Specialist
Ms. Cason has many years of experience as an educator in the KCK public schools. She has taught 1st-3rd grades, been an Assistant Principal and Intervention Teacher, as well as a Mentor Coach for beginning teachers in the district. She also served as a volunteer tutor at our Blessed Sacrament site for several years before joining our staff.
As our Education Specialist, Ms. Cason’s primary role at the Learning Club is to support volunteer tutors as well as target the needs of our students with the most challenges. Phyllis is available to help tutors whose students have academic needs and/or motivation or discipline issues. Tutors are encouraged to visit with her in person or email her for extra support. You can contact Phyllis at 913-244-6169 or pcason@learningclubkck.org.
Ms. Cason has many years of experience as an educator in the KCK public schools. She has taught 1st-3rd grades, been an Assistant Principal and Intervention Teacher, as well as a Mentor Coach for beginning teachers in the district. She also served as a volunteer tutor at our Blessed Sacrament site for several years before joining our staff.
As our Education Specialist, Ms. Cason’s primary role at the Learning Club is to support volunteer tutors as well as target the needs of our students with the most challenges. Phyllis is available to help tutors whose students have academic needs and/or motivation or discipline issues. Tutors are encouraged to visit with her in person or email her for extra support. You can contact Phyllis at 913-244-6169 or pcason@learningclubkck.org.
Amy Dickens, Site Director
Amy Dickens is the Site Director for Cyrus K. Holliday. She has worked in education for over twenty 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 over twenty 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.
Brad Grabs, 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. Dawn’s experiences include 6 years as a user analyst at Unbound (formerly CFCA) and 3 years at Wells Fargo as a database marketing analyst. Dawn has a heart for the poor and spent two years as a missionary/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. Contact her at dawngrabs@gmail.com.
Dawn Grabs oversees the website, database and other projects. Dawn’s experiences include 6 years as a user analyst at Unbound (formerly CFCA) and 3 years at Wells Fargo as a database marketing analyst. Dawn has a heart for the poor and spent two years as a missionary/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. Contact her at dawngrabs@gmail.com.
James Snow, Site Director/Communications
James Snow is the Site Director for the St. Margaret’s and Blessed Sacrament tutoring sites. He also provides administrative support and does social media for the Learning Club. James spent two years working as a tutor in an alternative high school in Boston and another year as an 8th grade science teacher in Nashville. James is particularly interested in getting kids excited about learning, and leads many hands-on enrichment activities with the Learning Club students. You may contact James at 240-464-5284 or jsnow@learningclubkck.org.
James Snow is the Site Director for the St. Margaret’s and Blessed Sacrament tutoring sites. He also provides administrative support and does social media for the Learning Club. James spent two years working as a tutor in an alternative high school in Boston and another year as an 8th grade science teacher in Nashville. James is particularly interested in getting kids excited about learning, and leads many hands-on enrichment activities with the Learning Club students. You may contact James at 240-464-5284 or jsnow@learningclubkck.org.
Laura Swan, Director of Teacher Internship
Laura Swan is the Director of the Learning Club Academy Teacher Internship, training and supporting groups of high school interns as they mentor elementary school students. She has taught in the Kansas City, Missouri public school district, including teaching at the alternative elementary school. 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's in literacy education from Mizzou and is a certified teacher at the early childhood and elementary school levels. Laura is passionate about being a warrior for all children by working to close the achievement gap and sparking interest in the education field. Contact Laura at 734-308-9399 or LSwan@LearningClubKCK.org.
Laura Swan is the Director of the Learning Club Academy Teacher Internship, training and supporting groups of high school interns as they mentor elementary school students. She has taught in the Kansas City, Missouri public school district, including teaching at the alternative elementary school. 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's in literacy education from Mizzou and is a certified teacher at the early childhood and elementary school levels. Laura is passionate about being a warrior for all children by working to close the achievement gap and sparking interest in the education field. Contact Laura at 734-308-9399 or LSwan@LearningClubKCK.org.