Meet Our Team

Lesley Betts

Center Director

Lesley is the Center Director of the Sylvan Learning Center in Clayton, NC. She studied at Methodist University, and joined the Sylvan team in 2011. Lesley has served in many various roles within the Center, to include Testing Coordinator, Program Manager, Director of Education, and most recently, Center Director, since January 2022. Lesley feels that each student has individual and unlimited potential, and loves helping families achieve their academic and personal goals. In her free time, Lesley enjoys working out, traveling to new places, sporting events, and spending time with her two young children. Lesley believes: “You learn something everyday, look out for it!”

Dannette Kent

Program Manager/Tutor

Dannette joined the Sylvan team in 2021, and has been an integral member ever since. Dannette graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in Elementary Education, and has served as a Teacher, Curriculum Director, as well as an Education Coordinator, in both Florida and North Carolina, over the last 23 years. Dannette believes in the growth of every student, and that each student should be given ample opportunity to grow. Dannette enjoys working with Sylvan families to help align their individual personal and academic goals through her various roles at the Center. In her free time, Dannette enjoys spending time with her family and savoring a great coffee.

Melissa Raines

Program Manager/Tutor

Melissa has been a member of the Sylvan team since 2022. A former middle school Math teacher, Melissa chose a career at Sylvan because she loves seeing the progress and growth in students of all ages. She studied at North Carolina Wesleyan University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Math Education. When Melissa isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hanging at the lake, and looks forward to a good concert or trip.