Meet Our Team
Cassandra Shaw-Franks
Owner and Director
Owner and Director, Cassandra Shaw-Franks, always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. She decided it would be best to combine her business experience and STEM background and her passion for teaching to help students in her community. After Cassandra received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the University of Alabama she began working for a large IT corporation. There, she spent almost 20 years as an engineer and middle manager while also continuing her education to complete a MBA from the University of South Florida. After she moved to DeSoto in 2000, she discovered a need for supplemental education in the southern sector of Dallas. Cassandra took advantage of an opportunity for an early retirement so that she could invest in an owner/operator educational services franchise. During this time, she still had an interest in being a classroom teacher, so she pursued and accepted a position as a classroom teacher in her local school district teaching math for grades 6 -12. This gave her an opportunity to work directly with students that were learning to read at the preschool and elementary level, as well as work with students that were struggling with their academics. She found it to be exceptionally rewarding to help students attain and exceed grade level appropriate math and reading skills. Cassandra holds Texas state teacher certifications in math for grades 4 thru 12, special education grades K thru 12, and education administration. She has taught in middle and high school classrooms for approximately 10 years. Subsequently, she earned a Master in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Arlington and holds 20+ graduate hours in math from Texas A & M University Commerce, subsequently becoming an adjunct mathematics instructor at the junior college level. In 2006, after meeting other tutoring center owners and witnessing the progress of the students she transitioned to starting a learning center in her community. She really appreciates the quality of the reading program’s phonics, comprehension, and grammar curriculum while at the same time remaining affordable. She is excited about the service she is able to provide to her community!
LaToya Rogers-Wilson
Co-Director
LaToya Rogers-Wilson serves as the Co-director and curriculum consultant for DeSoto Learning Center. LaToya moved to Dallas in 2011 with her husband and two young daughters. She is an eclectic homeschooler that has utilized supplemental education programs from the very beginning of her children's academic programs. Through early introduction of phonics, LaToya was able to teach her children to read and become proficient in comprehension and writing. LaToya received a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in teaching history and sociology from the University of South Alabama in 2006. She knew that her passion was in helping learners but felt that the traditional school structure offered limitations to fully helping students achieve maximum potential. LaToya returned to the University of South Alabama and received a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2008. LaToya also has completed graduate level courses in nursing and education.LaToya's family has grown to include 2 more precious daughters.
Jabbar Wilson
IT Consultant
Jabbar Wilson is the IT consultant for DeSoto Learning Center . Jabbar received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Vassar College in 1999. He began working in the IT field as a self-taught software developer. Jabbar is a homeschool parent that closely monitors curriculum and teaching philosophy trends.