Meet our Mishawaka Tutoring Staff

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.” 

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 the center in Clermont, Florida. 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.

Jamie oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors in Mishawaka and Elkhart. Jamie has been with Sylvan since 2006, and she brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan. She graduated from Ball State University. When Jamie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her camping, hiking, or baking.

Skye is a Director of Operations at Sylvan in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. She studied Animal Sciences at Purdue University and Business Administration at Indiana Wesleyan. When Skye isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing board games, quilting, or watching movies with her dogs.

Lucy is a Director at Sylvan in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Lucy has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in social studies tutoring. She studied Secondary Education with a focus on history at Indiana University. When Lucy isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, running, or watching movies.

A former 6th Grade Math and Science Teacher at Goshen Intermediate School, Taylor transitioned into a career in the tutoring business to help create a personalized, adaptive educational experience that builds academic confidence in students. He studied Economics and Accounting at the University of California Santa Barbara. When Taylor isn't at Sylvan, you'll find him kayaking or hiking. 

Faith has been with Sylvan since 2018 when she started as a teacher at the Fort Wayne location. Before Sylvan, she taught high school English for five years with experience in Honors 9-12, Creative Writing, as well as AP Language and Composition. Now, she maintains the educational growth of all her Sylvan students by monitoring programs and ensuring their effectiveness. While she has many tutoring talents, she finds the most joy in working with Writing and College Prep students. When not at Sylvan, Faith is most likely snuggling her two dogs or drinking more coffee!

Haylie is the Lead Instructor at Sylvan Learning of Mishawaka and Elkhart with a gift for working with kids. While Haylie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring middle school math and SAT Prep. She studied at Cedarville University. When Haylie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing tabletop games with friends, cheering on her favorite teams in football and hockey, and enjoying a chai latte.

Adelle is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Adelle has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied Education at Loyola University Chicago. When Adelle isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, taking walks, and hanging out with her dog. 

Brian is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Brian has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in Math tutoring. He studied Computer Science and Applied Mathematics IUSB. When Brian isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him: reading books, walking in a park, playing Chess and video games. 

Bridget has worked at Sylvan of Mishawaka since 2004. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Mass Communication from Saint Mary’s College, as well as a graduate degree in English from Indiana University South Bend. Bridget teaches middle school English Language Arts and Literature at Saint Anthony de Padua School in South Bend. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked in Public Relations at the University of Notre Dame.

Courtney is a 4th-grade teacher in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Courtney has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading and study skills tutoring. She studied at Indiana University Bloomington. When Courtney isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her enjoying time with her family, coaching high school baseball, and chasing around her son and dog.

Ginny is a tutor in Mishawaka, Indiana with a gift for working with kids. While Ginny has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring English. She studied Languages and Literature at Rutgers University and History and educational leadership at the University of Texas at El Paso. When Ginny isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her at Indiana University South Bend, at home, or on one of Lake Michigan’s beaches.

Grant is a Reading and Writing tutor in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Grant has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in SAT/ACT verbal preparation tutoring. He studied at Indiana Wesleyan University. When Grant isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him hiking, crafting, baking, and watching reality television.

Hannah S is a tutor in Elkhart and Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Hannah has many tutoring talents, they find the greatest joy in Elementary Reading and Math tutoring.She studied Elementary Education at Goshen College. When Hannah isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her baking, reading, walking the dog, or playing with her two cats. 

Heather is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Heather has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in mathematics tutoring. She studied Elementary Education at the Indiana University of South Bend. When Heather isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with family, walking her dog, or relaxing with a book. 

Joe is a teacher in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Joe has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in reading and writing tutoring. He studied at Indiana University-Bloomington. When Joe isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him walking his Boxer-mix and hanging with his family.

Kyle is a tutor in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Kyle has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. He studied at Bowling Green State University. When Kyle isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing board games or playing with his two miniature schnauzers.

Lisa Lashbrooke is a sixth-grade teacher in Mishawaka, IN, with a gift for working with kids. While Lisa has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN. When Lisa isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her attempting to design things on her Cricut, playing with her german shepherd, Maizey, and spending time with her family.

Marie is a second-grade teacher in South Bend, IN, with a gift for working with kids. While Marie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring writing students. She studied at IUSB. When Marie isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her reading, writing, feeding her cats, and visiting Presidential history sites.

Matt is a math teacher in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Matt has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in high school mathematics. He received his Master’s Degree from Worcester Polytech Institution. When Matt isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him walking his puppy, Charlie.

Meghan is a tutor in Mishawaka, Indiana with a gift for working with kids. While Meghan has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring High School math. She studied Mechanical Engineering at Purdue Fort Wayne and got a Master of Business Administration from University of Southern Indiana. When she isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find Meghan baking, crocheting, or watching tv with her dog. 

RJ is a teacher  in Elkhart, IN with a gift for working with kids. While RJ has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in science tutoring. He studied Wildlife at Purdue University. When RJ isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him running, writing, or watching his favorite sports teams.

Stephanie is a tutor in Mishawaka, Indiana with a gift for working with kids. While Stephanie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring reading, wirting, and math. She studied Elementary Education and Special Education at Lebanon Valley College and Shippensburg University of PA. When Stephanie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her gardening, baking, crocheting, or sewing.

Victor is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Victor has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in mathematics tutoring. He studied Math and Education at Bethel University. When he isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing tabletop games, skateboarding, or reading at cafes.