Meet our Kent Tutoring Staff

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Great Teachers Inspire

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

  • Avnita Lakhani , Center Director

    Avnita Lakhani

    Center Director

    Avnita has been a part of the Sylvan team since 2020 working as the Center Director of our Kent location, serving the Kent, Renton, and Tahoma, school districts. As Center Director Avnita helps our families find the best solution for their educational needs. Avnita enjoys the relationships and growth she is able to see in our students and making our communities stronger by improving education in our youth.
  • Karli S., Director of Education

    Karli S.

    Director of Education

    Karli has worked at Sylvan of Kent since July 2019. She graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Integrated Studies with Language Arts. Previously, Karli was an elementary teacher at Chief Leschi Schools in Puyallup, Washington. She enjoys teaching a variety of subjects including reading, writing, and math. In her free time, Karli enjoys lounging with her cat and painting.
  • Ashley S., Teacher

    Ashley S.

    Teacher

    Ashley has worked at Sylvan of Kent and Maple Valley since July 2015. She is a graduate of Western Washington University, where she obtained a degree in Spanish with an emphasis of secondary education. Ashley has a little over year of tutoring experience working as an instructor for Sylvan Learning serving in Tahoma, Kent, and Enumclaw school districts. She enjoys teaching a variety of subject areas, including academic reading, mathematics, and writing. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her friends, either in Kent or Seattle, shopping, video games/watching TV, and watching shows such as Dallas with her family at home.
  • Julia Still, Teacher

    Julia Still

    Teacher

    Julia has completed her teaching program through Grand Canyon University specializing in elementary and special education. Julia focuses on adaptive learning for students who are in need of extra support. When she is not in the classroom, Julia enjoys doing all kinds of puzzles, coloring, and finding bodies of water to walk along with her close friends. 
  • Robin Solash, Instructor

    Robin Solash

    Instructor

    Robin is an Certified Behavior Analyst and teacher in Tacoma, WA .While Robin has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in  science and biology and everything else tutoring. As our most tenured tutor, Robin possesses knowledge is every area of Sylvan programming. She studied at the Evergreen State College. When Robin isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing games with her family, reading, watching dance shows, or tide pooling.  
  • Kassi, Teacher

    Kassi

    Teacher

    Kassi is an amazing Special Education and English teacher in Kent WA. She has special expertise in teaching Reading and Writing. Due to her sense of and caring nature she has a great ability to relate to kids. She has a teaching degree in Language Arts from Western Washington University and a Master's in Special Education from Washington State University. When Kassi isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys movies and dinner with friends, as well as, snuggling with her kitty. 
  • Vera Matveyeva, Teacher

    Vera Matveyeva

    Teacher

    Vera is a tutor in Kent, WA. Vera has been working as a preschool educator for 7 years in Auburn School District. Currently, she is employed with Kent School District in a Special Education class. At Sylvan, she specializes in early literacy. During her free time, Vera enjoys playing piano and cooking traditional meals.
  • David Berry, Teacher

    David Berry

    Teacher

    David is a tutor in Kent Washington. He approaches his tutoring with the goal of fostering an entertaining, engaging, and comfortable learning environment. He received his degree in Physics from Central Washington University and loves teaching all things science and mathematics to curious students.
  • Heather Waetzig, Teacher

    Heather Waetzig

    Teacher

    Heather is an amazing tutor in Kent, Washington. She has special expertise in writing tutoring and study skills tutoring. Patient and kind, Heather has a great ability to relate to kids. She studied at Pacific Lutheran University. When Heather isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her hiking, reading, gardening, or playing with her cats.