Who we are

Dr. Jerry Stein: Learning Dreams Founder and Director

Dr. Jerry Stein is a Senior Fellow at the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. He is also the Director of the M.Ed. program in Youth Development Leadership in the College of Education and Human Development. In 1996, Dr. Stein created the Learning Dreams Program. He manages all Learning Dreams operations and staff.

Email: jstein@learningdreams.org

Phone: 612-625-2224

Jena Brune: Field Coordinator (Hennepin County)

Jena began working with Learning Dreams as a Volunteer Neighborhood Educator in 2009.  She is currently the Hennepin County Field Coordinator and is responsible for Learning Dreams activities, volunteers, and community partnerships in Minneapolis.  

Email: jbrune@learningdreams.org

Phone: 612-695-6444

Matt Carlson: Graduate Assistant

Matt has worked for Learning Dreams since 2006. He assists with community-based research projects, coordinates the Learning Dreams video project, and helps organize the Southeast Minneapolis Learning Carnival in partnership with the Southeast Minneapolis Council on Learning.

Email: mcarlson@learningdreams.org

Phone: 612-624-4294

Micaela Conlon: Field Coordinator (St. Paul)

Previously acting as the Southeast Neighborhood Educator, Micaela transitioned into her current position as the St. Paul Field Coordinator in fall 2009. She is responsible for all Learning Dreams activities, volunteers and support in St. Paul, including pairing volunteers with families and coordinating trainings in St. Paul.

Email: mconlon@learningdreams.org

Phone: 612-720-6867

Erin Donald: Neighborhood Educator (Minneapolis)

Erin has been with Learning Dreams since January of 2009, working with the youth, families, neighborhoods, and community partners in Southeast Minneapolis. She is currently the Southeast Neighborhood Educator, helping to coordinate and recruit our volunteers and supporting the Learning Dreams video project.

Email: edonald@learningdreams.org

Phone: 218-428-4727

Nasra Farah: Somali Translator

Acting as our Somali Translator, Nasra works with many of our East African families. She often accompanies our Volunteer Coordinators on family recruiting missions in Southeast Minneapolis and West St. Paul.

Email: nfarah@learningdreams.org

Phone: 614-596-4838

Steven Martinez Grande: Neighborhood Educator (St. Paul)

Steven is a Neighborhood Educator based at Cherokee Heights Elemenary School in the West Side community in St. Paul. He is also a graduate student in the Youth Development Leadership program at the University of Minnesota. Steven helps families realize their unmet learning dreams by creating strong relationships that help them connect to learning and community resources. 

Email: smartinez@learningdreams.org

Phone: 651-788-0399

Alisha Hardman: Blog Research and Writing

Alisha is a doctoral student in the Family, Youth, and Community education program at the University of Minnesota. She assists Director Dr. Jerry Stein in his many writing and editing endevors.

Email: hardm016@umn.edu

Kathryn Nelson: Writer and Editor

With a background in journalism and global studies, Kathryn manages all communications, social media and relations as well as data tracking at Learning Dreams. In addition, she supports the staff in their technological endeavors and administrative tasks.

Email: knelson@learningdreams.org

Phone: 952-220-1903