Meet our Hermosa Beach Tutoring Staff

As Center Director, Sara leads the daily operations and teaches for Sylvan of Hermosa Beach. A Mira Costa High grad, teacher and former executive assistant, Sara chose a career in the tutoring business because she is passionate about education. She studied at Cal State Northridge. When Sara isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her with her family and friends.

Amber Castillo oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors in Hermosa Beach. Amber is a California-credentialed Multiple Subjects teacher who taught grades 1-5 for eleven years. An Air Force veteran, Amber graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master's in Human Relations and from Boston University with a Bachelor's in Linguistics and minors in International Relations and Mathematics. When Amber isn’t at Sylvan you’ll find her with family appreciating the arts and outdoors.

Jessica leads the daily operations for Sylvan of Hermosa Beach and has been with Sylvan for over 14 years. As a current RBUSD employee, Jessica also chose a career in the tutoring business because she loves helping students be the best they can be. Jessica studied at Arizona State University. When Jessica isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her at the beach and spending time with family and friends.

Candice is a tutor in Hermosa Beach, CA with a gift for working with kids. While Candice has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in liberal arts. Candice studied at California State University of Fullerton and received her bachelor's in liberal arts. She loves to teach and cultivate an environment for the future bold thinkers of our generation.

Daysi is a Clinical Research Assistant completing her degree in Molecular Biology at Cal State University with a gift for working with kids. While Daysi has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in science and math tutoring. When Daysi isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her with her friends and family and making contributions to the future of science and medicine.

Dr. Laura Holden is a tutor assessment proctor at Hermosa Beach Sylvan. She is a local South Bay resident and graduated from Mira Costa, El Camino, Long Beach State University (BA and MA) and Brigham Young University in Utah (Doctorate). Dr. Holden also took classes at University of San Diego and Cal State Dominguez Hills. She taught and coached in Bellflower, Los Angeles and Compton. Dr. Holden loves working with young people and enjoys that excitement when they are successful. Sylvan provides those moments. In her free time she reads, watches sports (Galaxy season ticket holder for 19 years), golfs and bowls.

Julie is a tutor with the gift of working with students of all ages and has done so for over 25 years. Julie is a trained literacy expert with the Lawndale Elementary School District. While she has many talents, Julie finds her greatest joy in teaching Literacy and Phonics skills. Julie currently studies at El Camino College as a life-long learner.

Katrina is an English tutor in Hermosa Beach, CA with a gift for working with kids. While Katrina has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring English. She studied at the University of California Los Angeles, receiving a BA in Political Science and International Relations and a certificate for Teaching English as a Second Language. She also studied at the Southwestern University of Law. When she is not at Sylvan, Katrina teaches K-12 for or the Torrance Unified School District.

Kirstyn is a teacher in Hermosa Beach, CA with a gift for working for kids. While Kirstyn has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in elementary reading, writing, and math. Kirstyn studied at Cal State University. When Kirstyn isn't at Sylvan, you will find her with her friends and family and by the beach with her two adorable dogs.

Milynnn is a teacher in Torrance, CA with a gift for working with kids. While Milynn has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in elementary reading, writing, and math tutoring. Milynn studied at Cal State Dominguez Hills. When Milynn isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her with her friends and family and being a positive mentor to the next generation.

Shanel is a tutor in Hermosa Beach, CA with a gift for teaching kids. Shanel studied at CSU; receiving a Bachelor's in Child and Adolescent Development as well as a Master's in Early Childhood Education. She loves teaching and strives to create a fantastic environment for children to learn and study. 

Elizabeth is Tutor at Sylvan with an extensive background working with kids. Elizabeth has taught formerly in a classroom for many years, she holds a teaching credential in Special Education. She is a proud parent of 3 university students and understands first hand the importance of education. When she isn't at Sylvan, She loves enjoying music and spending time with her family.

Donyale is a Tutor in Hermosa Beach, with a love for working with kids. While Donyale has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading/writing tutoring. She graduated from Columbia College in Chicago. Donyale is a credentialed substitute teacher with many years of classroom experience. When Donyale isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading a book or spending time outside with friends.