Experienced, Caring Faculty at Plaza Academy

Faculty & Staff

Ward Worley - Executive Director

Ward Worley is a native of Kansas City, MO and a 1985 graduate of the Plaza Academy. He obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in 1990, from the University of Missouri. Upon graduation Ward worked for a diverse group of politicians including United States Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond and Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Emanuel Cleaver. He was also the founder and president of a successful mortgage brokerage, before embarking on his current career in social service. Ward graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas in 2006. Upon graduation he spent over three years in community mental health at Swope Health Services before joining the Plaza Academy in 2010. Ward was appointed Executive Director by the board in January 2013.

Joy Beth Scammahorn-Orr - Principal + Special Education

Joy Beth Scammahorn-Orr has been working in the education field for over 25 years and her experience includes work with children ages: birth thru secondary education. Most recently she has been working as a special education teacher in the Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley School District. Joy Beth holds a BA in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degrees in Educational Administration from Emporia College. In addition, she has teaching endorsements in: K-9 General Education, K-12 in Special Education, and K-12 English Language Learners. In addition, to her educational teaching experience Joy Beth has served as a CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, volunteer and Board Member since 1989. Along with her husband, Michael, they welcomed numerous foster placements in their home for ten years. Ultimately, they adopted their youngest child through the foster care system. They also have 3 older sons in the home, keeping her busy. In addition, to her work with young people, Joy Beth enjoys time with her family, vacations at the lake, and snow skiing.

Sarah Frohmberg - Special Education Coordinator + Math

Sarah Frohmberg has been in education since 2003. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in Adaptive Special Education. She loves finding ways to make math fun for our students. When not teaching, she is reading, blogging, tracing her family history, and exploring Kansas City with her puppy, Finn.

Kerstin Amandola - Administration

As a graduate from the Plaza Academy, Kerstin is an integral part of the PA family and work tirelessly to make the school run smoothly.

Kerstin is a '12 graduate and this is her tenth year at the Plaza Academy as an administrative assistant, working behind the scenes to help every staff member and student at PA, everyday!

Guilherme Vaz - Music + Spanish

Guilherme Vaz is a graduate of Music Production & Engineering from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. As well, he holds a degree in Economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a degree in Business from the Pontifical University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Guilherme has taught music since 2004 in both Brazil and the United States through the public schools in Rio and at the House of Hope and the Music House in Kansas City. Guilherme is a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer in the state of Kansas and is part owner of an international wholesale distribution company. Guilherme enjoys playing music regularly throughout the metro as part of Sharp Marbles, a Prairie Village based blues, bossa, jazz, pop and rock band.

Tiffany Young - Social Worker

Tiffany Young is a Licensed Master of Social Work, earning her B.S.W. from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville and her M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania. As a Kansas City native with over 30 years of experience in the field of social work, her expertise and experience make her a perfect fit at Plaza Academy!

JoEllen Peters - Multiple Subjects

This will be JoEllen's seventh year teaching Social Studies, photography, graphic design and textiles at Plaza Academy. JoEllen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design from Park University in 2010. When she is not teaching, she spends her time promoting literacy as a library volunteer, reading, knitting, and spending time with her awesome ten-year-old son. JoEllen is so happy to be back at Plaza with the amazing staff and even more amazing students.

Tina Dailey - Science

Tina Dailey is currently working towards degrees in Neuropsychology with an emphasis on researching cognitive impairments, and secondary education. She is a member of three Collegiate honors programs and has been published for her research in both Alzheimer's disease and changing the idea of genius. Tina has a passion for science and art that she wishes to share with her students. Her plan is to bring activities and labs to life in the classroom to further engage your children and enrich the science experience. Tina believes so much in our school that her own son graduated from Plaza Academy in 2018.

Joyce A. Stokes - Multiple Subjects

Joyce A. Stokes has been in the education field for 25+ years and her experience includes secondary and college level teaching and coaching. Most recently she has worked in the Center School District #58 as a middle Physical Education, middle school math and science, Dean of Students and Interim Principal. Joyce holds a BS in Health and Physical Education from Eastern Mennonite College, a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Wichita State, and a Ed. Specialist from UCM. In addition, she has coached in the secondary and collegiate level, served as Board member for Missouri Alternative Education Network (MAEN), and the Marlborough Community Coalition. One of Joyce’s proud moments in education was being chosen as the District Teacher of the Year for Center School District. She has a daughter who lives in Tulsa, OK, and a granddaughter living in Chicago. Joyce loves reading, gardening, golfing, and being with people.

Mandi Duggan - Multiple Subjects

Mandi is a Denver, Colorado Native who graduated from The University of Kansas in 2021 with a degree in Education after playing for the University of Kansas Women’s Soccer Program. She enjoys uplifting students and empowering them to become their best selves. When Mandi is not working, she spends her time painting, reading, working out and taking her dog on long walks outside.

Alexis Lebowitz - Director of Development + Visual Art Educator

Alexis earned her Bachelor of Journalism degree with minors in Psychology and Business at The University of Missouri - School of Journalism in 2005 and her Masters in Art Education, endorsed in special education, at Columbia College Chicago in 2012. Alexis lived in Chicago for 11 years, spending half the time working as an advertising executive, and the other half as an art educator for Chicago Public Schools in the Englewood and Pilsen neighborhoods. Working at Plaza Academy is a dream come true as she gets to utilize all of her experiences and degrees at once, alongside the incredible staff and students. After work Alexis takes care of her two children with the goal of having the most amount of fun with the least amount of tears possible.