Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Silverdale consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Silverdale 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 Silverdale!
Susie Petersen
Center Director
As Center Director of Silverdale Sylvan, Susie oversees the educational programs at the center and works with families to provide personalized learning programs for each student. Susie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Washington University and a Washington State Teaching Certificate. Susie has been with Sylvan Learning Centers for over 20 years and has vast experience in personalizing learning plans for each student. Susie greatly enjoys helping students to feel confident in their skills and the many “got it” moments!
Gail Smith
Owner
Gail feels privileged to help lead an amazing team of educators and support staff along with her husband, Dave. A former Public Relations manager and Elementary Classroom Teacher, Gail finds great joy and fun in working with students and teachers. As the parent of two college athletes, she is excited about helping student-athletes realize their full academic potential and options for college and beyond. She holds a degree in Public Relations from WSU and went on to Seattle Pacific University for her K-8 teaching endorsement and Master’s work in Special Education. Gail has also served a 3-year term on the national Franchise Owner’s Association board for Sylvan Learning.
Dave Smith
Owner
Hailing from Fircrest, WA and a graduate of Wilson High School, Dave, along with his wife Gail, take great pride in owning and operating Sylvan of Silverdale, WA. Holding a B.S. in Economics from Willamette University where he played football as an Academic All-American, Dave enjoys working in an industry that helps students succeed at every level. Dave has served on the boards of Boys & Girls Clubs, Greater Lakes Mental Health and the Sylvan Franchise Owner’s Association. He has also enjoyed coaching middle school basketball over the years.
Rob Trostad
Instructor
Able to leap over complicated Calculus formulas in a single bound, our popular math teacher, Rob, is kept busy at the Sylvan of Silverdale, WA! Rob holds a Master’s of Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Washington with a specialty in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an A.A. in Engineering from Olympic College in Bremerton. Rob enjoys helping students feel more confident about math and be successful at school. When not at Sylvan, Rob can be found singing in a barbershop quartet, working on pipe organs, volunteering with Relay For Life and planning his next amazing trip somewhere!
Charles Green
Instructor
Our musical teacher, Charles, holds a B.A. degree in Music Education and a Master’s in Conducting. Possessing a sunny disposition and can-do attitude, his students get a big kick out of working with him in their personalized math and reading programs at the Silverdale, WA Sylvan Learning Center! When not at Sylvan, Charles can be found teaching trumpet, performing on trumpet or working on an orchestra or choir project.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (360) 979-4270 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
