Meet Our Team

Sarah

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Sarah oversees Indiana centers in Mishawaka, Elkhart, Merrillville, Schererville, Valparaiso, Fishers, Carmel, West Indianapolis, South Indianapolis, Fort Wayne North, and Fort Wayne South, and four Florida centers in Clermont, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips and Kissimmee. She thoroughly enjoys working with all of the students and their families. Sarah studied at Cedarville University.  When Sarah isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.

Kent

Center Director

Welcome to Sylvan Learning Center! My name is Kent Kolbow, and I am the owner and one of the directors. I received my college education in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During my educational experience, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Math with a strong background in Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology. I also earned an endorsement in education. During college, I taught at Sylvan Learning centers in Fort Wayne, and within a few years, became the Director. In 1997, I decided to purchase the Sylvan centers in Elkhart and Mishawaka. I have since had the opportunity to purchase nine additional centers in Indiana. My goal through working with Sylvan is “Success with Every Student.”

Rachel

Director of New Family Engagement

Rachel is a born and raised Hoosier who has traveled all across the USA. She went to Abilene Christian University in Texas where she graduated as Valedictorian with a BFA in Theatre. She then began dual careers as an educator and actress, teaching in classrooms, studios, and theatres from Denver to Chicago as well as performing in over 70 live theatre productions. She returned to Indiana in 2019 to plant roots near her family and is glad to be continuing to elevate education for children with Sylvan. Away from Sylvan, you could probably find her enjoying fantasy literature/cinema, eating French toast, or going on adventures with her wonderfully introverted, non-theatrical husband, Evan.

Erik

Director of Education

Erik graduated from Grand Canyon University with his Master’s Degree in Theology focusing on Youth and Family Counseling. Erik also has his Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Indiana University with his Organizational Leadership Certification at Purdue University. Erik has taught students that require an alternative education due to behavioral or medical needs. In addition to working as a teacher, Erik Smith develops websites for the private and corporate sector along with designing, creating, and producing podcasts and video streaming.

Alexis

Tutor

Alexis is a graduate of Calumet College of Saint Joseph. She is the oldest of five siblings and enjoys spending time with them. She currently teaches fourth grade in Indianapolis and is in the process of becoming licensed to teach Middle School Math. Her hobbies include listening to music and reading her Book Club book of the month. Her favorite place to visit is Canada.

Cassy

Tutor

Cassy graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She has five children and one grandchild. After her children were born, she chose to stay home and use her teaching skills by homeshooling all of them. With the last one now taking college classes, she is excited to be back in the public- teaching! She loves music, hiking, baking, and spending time with her family.

Karen

Tutor

Karen was a software engineer for 10 years, then was a classroom teacher for 19 years. She enjoys being able to explain the ‘why’ behind the answer to a math problem. She lives in Danville with her husband and her big rescue dog, Walter.

Kenda

Tutor

Kenda is a teacher in Indianapolis, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Kenda has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied Math Ed at Purdue University. When Kenda is not at Sylvan, you’ll find her doing jigsaw puzzles, spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, enjoying time with church family and friends.

Michelle

Tutor

Michelle is a native Hoosier, growing up on the west side of Indy and graduating from Ben Davis High School. She got her BS in Elementary Education at Ball State University and continued there to earn a master of Special Education. She has spent 20 years in Education, currently as a teacher at James A. Allison Elementary in Speedway. She married her high school sweetheart and they have 2 kids as well as a spoiled dog! She is obsessed with Hallmark movies, loves baking cookies at Christmas time, and enjoys taking her dog on walks. She loves being a soccer, band, choir, cheer, and dance mom! If she is not teaching or with her kids, she may be crafting with her Cricut.

Suzanne

Tutor

Suzanne is a graduate of Anderson University in her 21st year of teaching- and she loves it! Her goal is to inspire kids to love learning new things. When she is not at school or at Sylvan, she enjoys reading, baking, and being outside with her family.

Jenny

Tutor

Jennifer is a graduate of Ball State University with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology and St. Mary of the Woods College with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has taught Kindergarten for 15 years and is now retired. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing the look on a child’s face when they understand a concept! In her spare time, you’ll find her running, knitting, crocheting, and reading. She enjoys time with her two daughters and sons-in-law.

Raine

Tutor

Raine is a graduate of the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Speech Pathology as well as Lehigh University where she earned a master’s in Special Education. She strives to create an enjoyable learning environment where even math can be fun! Raine’s hobbies include yoga, painting, reading, and drinking iced coffee. She also loves animals and will find any excuse to show you a picture of her cat!

Carmel is a graduate of  of Western Governors University with a Masters in Elementary Education and a concentration in Special Education. She finds joy in making learning enjoyable for students through interactive and engaging activities.  Carmel’s hobbies include reading, bike riding, and gardening. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Linda

Tutor

Linda is a native of Wisconsin and graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Disabilities.  Once in Indiana, she received a Master’s in Elementary Education at Indiana University.  Linda has taught 25 years across all levels and areas of Special Education.  She helped develop programs for students with special needs and students at greatest risk of school failure.  Throughout her career, she participated in presenting these programs at national conferences. Outside of Sylvan, she enjoys time connecting with her three sisters, serving with her church family, writing, reading, gardening and most importantly, keeping up with her three precious grandchildren who are the joy of her life!

Jon

Jon is an IUPUI graduate licensed to teach math and social studies. He has been tutoring and helping students learn for 13 years and is passionate about helping students understand the material they struggle with. He specializes in math and loves seeing the “lightbulb moment” students have when a new subject clicks and they reach a new understanding. Jon’s hobbies include reading, playing games, and staying in for movie nights with his very spoiled cat Jiji.