Meet our Fontana Tutoring Staff

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Great Teachers Inspire

Our tutors and staff in Fontana consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Fontana 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 Fontana!

  • Fran Dyer, Franchise Owner

    Fran Dyer

    Franchise Owner

    Fran Dyer, owner of Sylvan Learning Center, has loved working in the Centers for the past 25 years. It has been a fabulously rewarding career meeting with parents, classroom teachers, and or course, the students. While Fran's career in Public Education encompasses teaching students at the Junior High level, Sylvan has provided her the opportunity to work with students from Kindergarten through High School. Sylvan has an excellent program and provided success for students at every level. Fran has both a Bachelors of Arts and a Masters Degree.
  • Jim Dyer, Franchise Owner

    Jim Dyer

    Franchise Owner

    Jim Dyer, owner of 9 Sylvan Learning Centers, spent 30 years in California Public Education. He taught high school for 8 years and was a Junior High Principal for 24 years. Jim has also taught Junior College classes in Speech and worked with Chapman University in the teacher credentialing department for the Inland Empire. In 2001 Jim began working extensively with the Sylvan Learning Centers. The best part of Sylvan for Jim is the same as it was working in Public Education....working with students and parents! Jim earned both his Bachelor of Arts and his Masters Degrees from Whittier College, Whittier, California.
  • Carli Ganet, Executive Director - Franchise Owner

    Carli Ganet

    Executive Director - Franchise Owner

    Carli Ganet is the Executive Director and Co-Owner of the 11 Sylvan Learning Centers owned by Jim and Fran Dyer. Carli received her Bachelors of Arts and Teaching Credential at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. Carli began her career with Sylvan as a student in the Rancho Cucamonga Sylvan Learning Center. She has been a Director of Education, Center Director and currently oversees the educational programs of Sylvan students as well as working with Directors and Parents. She loves working with Sylvan families!
  • Melissa Cairo, Director

    Melissa Cairo

    Director

    Melissa is the Director of Education at the Sylvan Learning Centers in Rancho Cucamonga. She is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and is working on her Education Specialist Credential in mild to moderate disabilities. Melissa has worked as a Substitute Teacher for the Etiwanda School District and has been a Child Care Assistant for Alta Loma School District for the last 6 years. She enjoys teaching a variety of subjects including writing, phonics, fluency, reading comprehension, spelling, and grammar. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, having lunch with her friends, going to the river, and cheering on the Dodgers.
  • Yvonne Jimenez, Director of Education

    Yvonne Jimenez

    Director of Education

    Yvonne is the Director of Education for the Redlands Sylvan Learning Center and has a gift for working with kids. While Yvonne has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in Spanish tutoring. When Yvonne isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her working at the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino for CAPS or doing philanthropy to raise money for centers of Domestic Violence Awareness.
  • Taryn Hartman, Director of Media Marketing

    Taryn Hartman

    Director of Media Marketing

    Taryn is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and Human Resources.  As a former Center Director and Regional Director, Taryn comes to this position with a love for Sylvan Learning Centers.  
    Taryn is a mother to 4 handsome boys.  When not working you will find Taryn at the soccer fields or at the grocery store.  
  • Melissa Daugherty, Director Assistant

    Melissa Daugherty

    Director Assistant

    Melissa is a vital part of our Sylvan staff! She has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subjects Credential. Melissa also has extensive experience working as a substitute teacher in both the Cucamonga and Upland School Districts. Melissa enjoys working at Sylvan because she gets to see the students' happiness when they understand a concept that has been challenging them.
  • Lisa White, Director of Business Development

    Lisa White

    Director of Business Development

    Lisa White has worked for Sylvan Learning for close to 10 years as Director of Business Development. Prior, Lisa spent 19 years in the non profit/social services arena managing programs and services for high risk, disabled, and culturally diverse populations. Lisa earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Antioch University and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Pacific Southern University. Lisa has always been actively involved in her children’s school; serving as an E3 Foundation Board Member, PTA Board Member, and School Site Council Member at the Etiwanda School District. Lisa enjoys representing Sylvan throughout the community and actively engaging in networking events and business development groups. She feels that her career experience and passion for education helps to ensure that all students are afforded educational opportunities that foster growth and development. “ I am passionate about academic excellence and enjoy working in a vibrant student learning environment where students are supported and celebrated.”
  • Brenda White-Wilson , Tutor

    Brenda White-Wilson

    Tutor

    Brenda has been a tutor for the Rancho Cucamonga area Sylvan Learning Centers since November 2020. She obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential from Cal State University, LA. As well as a Master’s of Arts degree in Education from the University of San Francisco. Before working at Sylvan, Brenda was a classroom teacher for 34 years in the L. A. Unified School District. Brenda brings a wealth of experience in a variety of subjects, with specialized training in reading, phonics, spelling, comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and math. In her free time, Brenda enjoys playing games, household projects, reading, jogging, bike riding, and shopping. 
  • Bertha Luquin, Director of Education

    Bertha Luquin

    Director of Education

    Bertha attended State University, Fullerton, and earned her BA in Human Communication with an emphasis on Interpersonal Relationships.
    Bertha has been with Sylvan Learning Centers since 2010 and is currently the Director of Education for the Rancho Cucamonga area Sylvan Learning Centers.
    Prior to Sylvan, Bertha was involved in after-school programs such as Chess Masters, America Reads, and Counts.  Bertha loves watching her students grow in math and reading.

  • Damian Garcia, Tutor

    Damian Garcia

    Tutor

    Damian has been a tutor at the Rancho Cucamonga area Sylvan Learning Centers since April 2021.  He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology.  Previous to Sylvan, Damian was a teaching assistant at Partnership For Success.  He enjoys teaching a variety of subject areas, including reading, writing, math, and college prep.  During his free time, Damian enjoys working in his garden, playing soccer, listening to music, and playing video games.