Meet our Irvine Tutoring Staff

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Great Teachers Inspire

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

  • Joe Liu, Executive Director

    Joe Liu

    Executive Director

    Master of Arts Education: Education Management Emphasis; Grad. Dip. Ed., Education; Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Analysis and Design; Certificate: Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL
  • Shawn Venter, Center Director

    Shawn Venter

    Center Director

    As Center Director, Shawn leads a team of dedicated tutors for Sylvan of Irvine. Shawn chose a career in the tutoring business because Shawn truly believes in the program and the incredible changes it can make in a student's life. When Shawn isn't at Sylvan, you’ll find him working in philanthropy playing sports hiking, or spending time with his family.
  • Marlene AKA Melody Perez, Director of Education

    Marlene AKA Melody Perez

    Director of Education

    Bachelor of Science: Human Services Associates of Liberal Arts Multi-subject Teaching Credential
  • Daniel Vo, Education Coordinator

    Daniel Vo

    Education Coordinator

    Bachelor of Science: Sociology
  • Shirlee Smith, Lead Teacher

    Shirlee Smith

    Lead Teacher

    Master of Arts: Deaf Education; Bachelor of Arts: Psychology; Credential: Multiple Subject; Specialist Credential in Communication Handicapped
  • Pamela Jenkins, Teacher

    Pamela Jenkins

    Teacher

    Pamela Jenkins possesses a Doctorate in Education from Pepperdine University. Also, she teaches ESL at Santiago Canyon College. In Her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and going to the theater.
  • Beth Ullman, Teacher

    Beth Ullman

    Teacher

    Master of Arts: Library Sciences; Bachelor of Arts; Credential: Multiple Subject  
  • Alexander D'Agostino, Teacher

    Alexander D'Agostino

    Teacher

    Master of Science: Mathematics
    Teaching Credential
  • Susan Li, Teacher

    Susan Li

    Teacher

    I received my teaching degree from the University of Michigan. I taught elementary education for 10 years and enjoyed watching my students learn and grow. In my free time, I like to read and do crossword puzzles.
  • Marge Packman, Teacher

    Marge Packman

    Teacher

    Marge earned her degree in English with minors in Education and French from Northern Illinois University. She has over 20 years' experience as a tutor and substitute teacher. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and acting in community theater.
  • Susan Romito, Teacher

    Susan Romito

    Teacher

    California Administrative Service Credential; Bachelor of Arts: Spanish; California Community College Credential: Basic Education/Ethnic Studies; Credential: Single Subject Spanish and English; California Bilingual Cross-Cultural Specialist Credential K-12
  • Jon Levin, Teacher

    Jon Levin

    Teacher

    PhD: Culture and Curricular Studies; Masters of Education: Education Culture and Society; Bachelor of Science: Environmental Studies
  • Conor Matthews, Teacher

    Conor Matthews

    Teacher

    Master of Arts: Teaching; Bachelor of Arts: Anthropology; Credential: Multiple Subject; Certificate: TEFL/TOFL/TESL 
  • Donna Linzey, Teacher

    Donna Linzey

    Teacher

    Master of Arts: Education Master of Science: ReadingBachelor of Science:  AccountingCredential: Multiple Subject; Reading Specialist 
  • Dan Linzey, Teacher

    Dan Linzey

    Teacher

    Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Arts; Credential: Multiple Subject 
  • Emely Solis, Teacher

    Emely Solis

    Teacher

    Bachelor of Arts: Spanish Language and Linguistics 
    Teaching credential
  • Deirdre Newman, Teacher

    Deirdre Newman

    Teacher

    Bachelor of Arts:  Political Science Credential: Multiple Subject