Meet Our Team

Seth Patrick

Executive Director

Hello! Seth oversees the educational integrity of our programs and managing/training our team of tutors in Gainesville. Seth brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan of Gainesville. He graduated from Manchester University in Indiana. When Seth isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing golf or doing mathematics. Furthermore, Seth oversees all of the academic programs in our center and works with the Center Director to prepare progress reports to present to families each month. Seth also supervises our instruction floor and helps our students grow in order to achieve their goals! He is very dedicated to his position and is ready to serve you in any way that he can. Welcome to the Sylvan Family!!!

Mary I. Hurst

Teacher

Mary Hurst is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Woodside Baptist Church in Ocala, Florida. She is originally from the Berkshire Mountains of Connecticut where she grew up with her six siblings. She has five children of her own as well as three grandsons. She received her Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Georgia, majoring in Spanish and English and her Master’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University. Mary has taught Spanish and reading at the middle, high school, and college level in Connecticut, Georgia, and Florida for thirty years. She also has been tutoring students of all ages in Spanish and English for the last ten years. At home, she enjoys painting, sewing, writing, swimming, and gardening.

Lonell Pontoo

Upper Level Teacher

My name is Lonell Pontoo. I was born and raised in South Carolina. I received my Bachelor’s Degree Mathematics from South Carolina State University in 1983. I also earned my Masters of Education Degree with a concentration in Mathematics from South Carolina State University in 1987. I later decided attend Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College to obtain an Associate Degree in Business with a concentration in Computer Technology in 1990. I have worked in various capacities and institutions. I have been teaching Mathematics since 1990. I enjoy enhancing my students understanding of mathematics.  Throughout my career I have been told that I make the subject easier to understand. Some of my hobbies are playing basketball, card games, watching TV, and listening to various kinds of music.  One of my goals in the future is to visit London, England, Aruba, and Paris, France.

I returned to Sylvan in June 2021 after a 30 year hiatus! During that time, I raised my family and eventually returned to teaching full-time. I currently teach high school math at First Assembly Christian School. When not working, I am an avid genealogist, scrap booker and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Most importantly, I love spending time with my 3 grandboys!