Meet our Los Angeles Tutoring Staff

SylvanStaff_02

Great Teachers Inspire

Our tutors and staff in Los Angeles consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Los Angeles know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school. Get to know our tutors and staff in Los Angeles!

  • Brian Hood, Center Director

    Brian Hood

    Center Director

    As Center Director, Brian leads the overall operations and education for Sylvan of Los Angeles/Beverly Hills. With a passion for education, Brian has been teaching and tutoring for over 10 years, including 2 years of teaching Creative Writing in Singapore while earning his Master's Degree in Dramatic Writing.  Brian also studied Communications at Old Dominion University. When Brian isn’t at Sylvan, he enjoys going to museums, hiking, and sipping on the best boba drinks in Los Angeles!  He also enjoys teaching English, Math, and Creative Writing, and helping students unlock their imaginations!
  • Stephen Haywood, Tutor

    Stephen Haywood

    Tutor

    Steve is a retired teacher. He taught for Middle School 29 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District specializing in English, Drama and Reading Intervention. Steve has a gift for working with kids. While Steve has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in tutoring in Beginning and Elementary Reading. He received master’s degrees from California State University at Los Angeles and Talbot Theological Seminary. When Steve isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him reading, watching television, going to movies and theatre and working with the Children’s Ministry at his church.
  • MARNISHA E. MINTLOW, TEACHER

    MARNISHA E. MINTLOW

    TEACHER

    Marnisha has been with our Sylvan Learning Center since August 2019. A Marine Veteran who graduated from Grantham University, she loves sharing with her students all the wonderful things she learned in life, and inspire them to develop and grow and become better individuals. When she is not teaching here at the center, Marnisha spends her free time singing, watching TV, shopping, and traveling. She sees herself as a life-long learner who enjoys learning something, about anything, from everyone. 
  • MIKE BRAVO, TEACHER

    MIKE BRAVO

    TEACHER

    Mike has been a part of the Sylvan family since June 2018. A graduate from UC Sta. Cruz, he has been an LAUSD Middle School Teacher for many years. Mike is a sports enthusiast and could spend hours talking about the topic. During his leisure times, he enjoys swimming, basketball, playing the piano, watching movies, listening to music, or just plain and simply teaching. What he enjoys most in life is to make his students smarter and help guide them in achieving their goals.