Meet Our Team

Alysha Herrera

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Alysha leads several of the Sylvan Learning Centers in the Houston area. Alysha is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Child Learning and Development. She also holds a teaching certificate in Generalist EC-6. In her free time, Alysha enjoys reading, collecting postcards and playing board games. At Sylvan, Alysha loves helping students find their “wow” moments.

Jeneisa Davis

Center Director

Jeneisa oversees the educational integrity of our programs. She also manages and trains our team of exceptional tutors. She is a graduate of the Texas Lutheran University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidiscipline Studies with her teaching certification in EC-6 Generalist. In her free time, Jeneisa enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. While teaching, Jenesia enjoyed seeing the children excited about school, and learning and seeing them reach their full potential. Her excitement for children is one of the reasons she came to Sylvan.

Ashley Walsh

Director of Education

Ashley oversees the integrity of our students’ programs and the overall experience of our Sylvan families as the Director of Education. After her coursework at LSC Kingwood, she has gone on to raise a family in the Atascocita area and spent extended time as a valued Sylvan team member. She is passionate about helping children learn, build confidence and be successful. During her free time, Ashley enjoys being with her boys during sports activities, reading or RVing with her husband and dogs.

Nicholas Pollacia

Sylvan Certified Mathematics Teacher

Nick is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is a tutor who enjoys teaching and learning new perspectives from the youth. Nick is exceptional at all math courses, including and not limited to: Pre-calculus, Algebra II, and Trigonometry. Students of all ages really like Nick because he is positive and always has fun. In his spare time Mr. Nick likes to hike, bike, and play football.

Tamara Ivy

Sylvan Certified Mathematics Teacher

Tamara is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Masters in Education. Learning has been a lifelong endeavor of hers and she views teaching as an inspiring and rewarding experience. She embraces the opportunity to foster curiosity and a love for learning. When she is not teaching she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Taylor Wilson

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Taylor is a graduate of University of Houston-Downtown where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Science and minored in Sociology and Communications. She is Texas Certified in ELAR 4-8. Taylor is a smart, kind, and joyful educator who loves to expand her students’ knowledge in Reading. In her free time, Taylor loves to garden, run, and spend time with her kitten.

Kayla House

Sylvan Certified Mathematics Teacher

Kayla is a tutor with a gift for working with kids. While Kayla has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry.  Kayla is a graduate of Houston Christian University with a degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology.  In her free time, Kayla enjoys clinical research and going to art museums with her friends.

Pamela Josey

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Pamela is a graduate of Paul Quinn College where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree and The University of Houston where she earned a Master’s of Education Degree. She also holds teacher certification for the state of Texas. Pamela loves teaching because she really enjoys helping children appreciate learning and she is especially passionate about helping students understand math. Pamela is a flexible and passionate individual who loves reading, completing puzzles, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

Ava Howard

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Ava attended and graduated from Texas Southern University and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading and English. She is a Texas certified teacher for grades K-8. Ava recently retired after years of teaching in the classroom and now enjoys staying busy helping others. Teaching is a love of Ava’s as she really enjoys watching students become successful. She loves volunteering her time, reading, and watching movies in her free time.

Bryce Newsom

SYLVAN CERTIFIED TUTOR

Bryce graduated from The University of Houston, Clear Lake with a Bachelor of History degree. He has also will obtain his Texas Teaching Certificate very soon. He really loves teaching and enjoys helping students of all ages to better themselves through increased knowledge. Bryce is a very punctual, flexible, and task driven teacher who really enjoys watching/playing baseball and drawing in his free time.

Jzavela Dougherty

SYLVAN CERTIFIED TUTOR

Jzavela graduated from St. Edwards University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She also has a Master’s Degree in Human Services from the University of Texas and a Doctor of Philosophy in Religion Degree from Universal Life Seminary. She began her career in social work and had opportunities to work in adult education. Over time, she became more involved with teaching children at all levels and she found that to be something she really enjoyed. She considers herself to be empathetic, passionate, and caring. In her free time, she enjoys humanitarian service and outreach, attending concerts, and visiting the theatre and museums.”

Angelia Idlebird

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Ms. Idlebird is a graduate of Lamar University, where she earned degrees in Childcare and Human Development, and Counseling and Human Development. Ms. Idlebird holds a teaching certificate in Grades 1-6, ESL Grades 1-6, and school counselor grades EC -12. She is a very caring educator; she became a teacher because she enjoys helping others become successful. In her free time, Ms. Idlebird loves dancing, solving puzzles, and traveling.

Fanesea Thompson

SYLVAN CERTIFIED TUTOR

Fanesea is a graduate of Long Beach College of Business and Sothern Technical College. She has been working toward her Texas Special Education teacher certification and will have it very soon. Fanesea is also a Minister and Pastor of Worship. She is a very kind and loving individual who enjoys teaching to assist students in achieving their best. Outside of tutoring at Sylvan, she really enjoys time with her ministry, music, and community outreach.