Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Knightdale consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Knightdale 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 Knightdale!
Julie Hoyes
Executive Director
Julie is the Executive Director of the Sylvan Learning Centers in Garner, Knightdale, Raleigh, and Wake Forest, NC. A graduate of Appalachian State University and former Wake County Public School System teacher and student, Julie joined the Sylvan team in 2003. She brings a wealth of knowledge, passion for education, and excitement to each Sylvan center. In 2013, Julie was awarded The Sylvan Way award for providing exceptional service to families, creating a positive culture in her team, and being a true example of operational excellence. Julie believes in life-long learning, enjoys having fun with her friends & family (especially her 2 daughters), and loves hearing Sylvan success stories!
Dillon O'Nail
Center Director
Mr. Dillon joined our Sylvan team in September 2022. As Center Director, Mr.Dillon ensures all of our families receive personalized plans to help with their student’s educational needs. When asked about Sylvan he said, “The relationships and connections I make with our students and their families are what drives my passion and enjoyment at Sylvan. While I’m always excited when students see growth, I’m at my happiest when we’ve created an experience where our students are EXCITED to come back and have fun while they’re here.” When Mr. Dillon is not at Sylvan, he enjoys reading, gardening and rock climbing with his partner and their cat, Po.
Danielle Hall
Director of Education
Ms. Danielle has been a valuable member of our Sylvan family since February 2023. As Director of Education, Ms. Danielle provides immeasurable support to our students and their families. She oversees our students’ programs and consistently conferences with our families to ensure our students are receiving the best academic support to meet their specific needs. In her free time Ms. Danielle enjoys reading and martial arts. She is a third degree blackbelt!
Kristen Picariello
Operations Manager
Mrs. Kristen joined the Sylvan team in October of 2010. As Operations Manager, she ensures that our centers function as smoothly and effectively as possible. Her favorite aspect of Sylvan is supporting students with a learning style tailored to their specific needs. In her free time, Kristen enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (919) 261-6490 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
