About Us

The Learning Pad LLC mission is to challenge and guide learners in their quest for knowledge and to motivate them toward self-realization, to improve their skills, and to enable them to develop wage-earning opportunities.

The Learning Pad LLC Goals and Objectives

  • The Learning Pad LLC idea began with a dedication to small classrooms, individual attention, and the firm goal of helping as many people as possible to complete IT certifications and health care certification training, provide professionals with CEU educational hours within their profession, and assist corporations to develop their current and future staff. Taught by Certified professionals, The Learning Pad LLC strives to open doors for students who need quality training to take a step forward with their lives.
  • The Learning Pad LLC is to be a leader within the Central Texas Region in educational opportunities and customer satisfaction in job placement assistance, forming partnerships with existing businesses in supplying fully educated and certified staff members.

Business Philosophy

The Learning Pad LLC is to be honest and direct, to establish business and working relationships within the community and to give back to the community.

The Learning Pad LLC will market directly to business to business corporations and individuals looking to increase their skill sets and/or CEU’s required for their certifications or license.

Management Profile

Kenneth Dublin — CEO/President

Kenneth Dublin Kenneth Dublin started The Learning Pad with a dream of assisting individuals and businesses in their learning initiatives. His passion for helping people achieve their goals began years ago in school when he was a professional fitness instructor. For the past 13 years Kenneth has worked in the education field. He worked for Dell and the State of Texas developing in-house curricula, training aids, and facilitating training which led him to become a specialist in Technology Enabled Learning and Education Process Design. Kenneth’s hobbies include spending quality time camping and boating with his family.

Shanette Johnson — Office Manager

Shanette Johnson Shanette Johnson started her professional career with R.U.M Enterprises (Dairy Queen) in 1997. From September of 1997 to April of 2010 she advanced through the company to Food Service Manager. She is a very caring person and enjoys helping others. She looks forward to assisting students to achieve their educational goals. She is happily married with three wonderful children. She enjoys being active in her children’s educational journey. As a family they enjoy taking walks, skating, kickball, and watching movies. With The Learning Pad, she looks to becoming certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist.

Dani Fielding — Director of Admissions and External Relations

Dani Fielding Dani recently moved to Austin from Amarillo. She has been in the IT Industry since 1982. She has worked with Government Agencies such as BWXT/Pantex, Bell Helicopter and the Department of Energy. She has owned her own training company and has worked in the education field for the past 13 years. She enjoys identifying clients’ needs and directing them to the proper training solutions. Dani and her husband are proud parents of a son who attends Texas Tech Honors College. She enjoys riding her horse “Red” and camping.

Christopher Metcalfe — Allied Healthcare Instructor

Christopher Metcalfe Mr. Christopher Metcalfe is the Instructor for The Learning Pads Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program, as well as the Phlebotomy Technician Program, and the EKG Technician Program. Mr. Metcalfe has extensive training and experience in the health field. He received his education as a Paramedic (EMT-P)at Scott & White and received his Medical Service Instructor qualifications in 1992 and a BLS Healthcare Provider Instructor credentials in 2006 through American Heart Assoc. He is currently attending ACC. Mr. Metcalfe has taught Medical Assisting and other health related courses at various educational institutions around Austin and we are fortunate to have him.

John Maya — Allied Healthcare Instructor

John Maya John has over 15 years of Medical Assisting experience that began with extensive training as a Hospital Corpsman in U.S. Navy. John has experience in family practice, ENT, OB, and most recently, cardiology. For the past four years John has been working as a Triage Coordinator at Cardio Texas (formerly Texas Cardiovascular) where he has eagerly learned and expanded his knowledge of electrocardiograms, holter monitors, and stress testing. His unique skills, solid knowledge base, and continued clinical application make John an excellent tool for students to excel as Electrocardiogram Technicians.

Amber Barba — Allied Healthcare Instructor

Amber Barba Amber Barba grew up in the Fort Worth area. Amber worked for an Austin company for two and half years before getting laid off. That is when she decided to do something else with her life. So in 2003 she received her training and certification as a Medical Assistant. She was hired by her externship site, the Texas Cancer Center in Round Rock. Her background ranges from working at the Cancer Center, Family Practice, and a Pediatric office as an Office Manager. Amber has experience with working with students in laboratory setting before coming to The Learning Pad. Amber is married and has 3 kids’, two boys and a daughter. Her hobbies are cross stitching and being outdoors and working in her yard. She looks forward in assisting the next generation of Medical Assistants reach their full potential and goals!

Nathan Coffey — CISO/IT Instructor

Nathan Coffey Mr. Coffey is a Computer Technician and a recent transplant from the shores of Lake Erie in Northern Ohio. Many years experience as a professional computer repair and network support technician. Always ensuring client’s IT solutions as the lead technician for a national office supply chain to maintenance of the seven Windows workstations controlling the linear particle accelerator for one of the most technically advanced cancer centers in the world. Guitarist, father, activist, and glutton for Cleveland sports are the pillars that support a new career path as an instructor helping a new generation obtain their IT certifications.