Amanda
Executive Director
Owner/Executive Director
Close
McKinsey
Education Coordinator
Hi! My name is McKinsey Stokes, and I am the Education Coordinator at GradePower Learning in Garland. I am from a family of educators, but in college I convinced myself that I must be destined for something else. I studied history at the University of Arkansas, and here, I learned to love learning. I taught sixth-grade social studies and ELA until I moved to Texas. I am passionate about teaching others how to learn, and GradePower Learning is the perfect place for this. We teach the skills necessary for students to become independent learners. When they take ownership of their learning, they receive the joy of learning, and so do I.
Close
Josh
Teacher
My name is, Joshua Carrier. I have taught secondary English for 13 years. In my 13 years of teaching, I have taught English I, II, III, and IV. Aside from being ELAR certified for grades 8-12, I am also ESL certified, and I know a lot about Dyslexia. I wanted to work at GradePower Learning because I wanted to broaden my understanding of the foundations of how reading and writing are taught to elementary and middle school children. Furthermore, I wanted to make sure that I could help students gain their core understanding of the foundations of the English language: parts of speech, vowels, sentence structure, punctuation, etc. These skills are essential to be successful. My favorite part about teaching at GradePower Learning is the connections I can make with my students. In a classroom of 30 students, it is often a struggle to make meaningful connections. At GradePower Learning, I only have up to three students at a time which affords me the time to have more in-depth discussions and get to know my students better. Before my students leave, I want them to know that effort goes a long way in life; success is not always determined by what answers you get right or wrong. Instead, it is defined by how you respond to failure; do you pick yourself up and prosper or do you give up. I never want my students to give up, and I hope to instill in them the intrinsic motivation to be successful.
Close
Richard
Teacher
I've been in education for 14 years. While in college I discovered I had a knack for explaining complicated concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. That's when I decided to get my teaching certification. I love teaching at GradePower Learning because I feel like I can really get to know my students on a one-to-one basis. Before leaving every day, I want my students to know how much I care about them and their futures.
Close
Vonnie
Teacher
Having four children, becoming a grandmother and a great-grandmother...family is the joy of my life! Prior to our fourth child being born, my career was in Information Systems Technology training and development at Texas Instruments. After leaving TI, I taught at Sachse Christian Academy for three years until my son was diagnosed with dyslexia. We both left the school so he could attend an intensive program at Scottish Rites Hospital in their dyslexic lab to re-learn how to read. Alongside this, I taught homeschool co-op classes that my son also attended with other students of like learning differences, developing new ways to teach children who have great difficulty being mainstreamed through language-driven curriculum. In September of 2005, I was asked to come to GradePower Learning to teach the Little Readers program in the mornings. Recognizing similarities with what my son learned in his dyslexic program, I realized the GradePower Learning curriculum very much supported cognitive and comprehensive linguistic learning that I had experienced in his training. Finding my new career, my personal mission evolved to ensure that every child understands they are a special gift. I became a tutor-coach in the afternoons and eventually assistant to the director. I enjoy so much being able to bring my knowledge and expertise to help the children that come through our doors realize their self-worth and their potential in learning, enabling them to have more successful and happy lives. They are truly a blessing to me!
Close
Jane
Teacher
As a child I had a reading disability, but a kind and patient teacher changed my life. As a result, I knew I wanted to do the same for other students. I have lived my dream for almost 40 years now! My name is Jane, and I am a retired, sixth-grade language arts teacher and school librarian. I started working at GradePower Learning in 2013 because I missed working with students. I enjoy teaching basic skills and strategies to help students become independent, confident, and lifelong learners.
Close
Kelven
Teacher
I started working at GradePower Learning because I wanted to teach others how to be curious and confident when learning. I like how personal GradePower Learning is, and I also like the small-group setting. My favorite part about teaching at GradePower Learning is working with upper-level students in math. I have never encountered a student I couldn’t make progress with, given they had the motivation. I will teach anybody at any level, and I gain satisfaction when students feel more confident in their math skills. I want the students to know that education is a long-term commitment. Short-term solutions, like cheating and cramming just to make grades, will not work in the long term. The time will come when your knowledge and expertise will be depended on by your superiors and your subordinates. Learning new subjects and mastery in a field requires hard work and needs to be taken seriously when you believe in your passion.
Close
Stefani
Teacher
I started my 24th year in education during the 20/21 school year as a full-time school counselor. During my time as an educator, I have taught as a 1st, 3rd, and 4th-grade classroom teacher in all subjects for sixteen years and then I was a reading and math specialist for seven where I pulled students in Kinder through 5th grade that were behind in reading and or math. I have worked at GradePower Learning since the summer of 2017. I joined GradePower Learning's team because I believe in their philosophy of solutions that last. They let me build relationships with students and know that is most important. Students do not care how much we know until they know how much we care. We are not only teaching skills for success; we also teach them how to use these lessons for life. We teach them how to engage their brain and how to remember what they learn. My favorite part of teaching is the relationships I build, and I want each child to know I love them and always will. Before they leave, l want them to know they have a friend for life.
Close
Autumn
Teacher
Hi friends, my name is Autumn! I taught elementary school for 5 years in CFBISD. I’ve taught grades K- 5th, and I absolutely love math! I’m so happy to be a part of the GradePower Learning family helping your students reach their potential and beyond. I look forward to working with you!
Close
Debra
Teacher
I graduated from Baylor University with an education degree. Then I received a Masters in education and reading from Stephen F. University. I am now retired from teaching with 40 years' experience. I worked the majority of those years in Garland ISD. I was an Interventionist in reading and math the last 30 years of my career. I also was certified and taught Reading Recovery for several years. I first began my career teaching Kindergarten for 8 years because I was drawn to working with younger students. I enjoy working with students and encouraging them to realize their full learning potential. Working at GradePower is the perfect place to continue encouraging students to learn in a positive setting.
Close