Meet Our Team

Stephany Zapata

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Stephany works closely with the Center Directors to ensure all students get the best education possible. Stephany is a graduate of Baylor University with a Math Major with Secondary Education. Stephany also holds a certification in 8-12 Mathematics. Stephany has over 10 years of experience with supplemental education. When Stephany isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing with her son and dog, cooking and traveling to where the beach is.

DENIA SCOTT

Director of Education

Denia oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors in Southlake. Denia has experience teaching all levels of Reading, Writing, and Math. She is certified to teach Elementary K-6. Denia has a BA in Elementary Education and an M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction. Denia is passionate about spending time with family, shopping, traveling, and swimming.

Jacob Jones

Certified Tutor

Jacob is a teacher at Sylvan Learning of Southlake and Keller. Jacob has experience teaching all levels of Reading, Writing, and Science. He is certified to teach Secondary ELA, Secondary Composite Science, and EC-8 Generalist. Jacob has a BA in Psychology, an MA in Theological Studies, and an MA in Media Arts & Culture. Jacob is passionate about working with students, freelance writing, mentoring early-career professionals, and editing for literary publishers.

Mary Ann Leasman

CERTIFIED TUTOR

Mary Ann joined the Sylvan team in Fall 2018.  She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Kinesiology and a Masters of Science degree from the University of Texas in Arlington. Following a career in the corporate world, she subbed In Keller and Northwest beginning in 2007 and received her alternative teacher certification in 2009. After teaching for several years in Wise County, she is currently teaching Science at Keller Middle School. Mary Ann enjoys running, cooking, reading, being outdoors, and DIY projects.  

Cindy McDonald

CERTIFIED TUTOR

Cindy is a teacher at Sylvan Learning of Southlake and Keller. Cindy teaches Elementary Language Arts, Elementary Math, Middle and High School English, Writing, and SAT Prep. She holds her certification in English, History, Elementary Self-Contained, Elementary Principal, and Secondary Teaching. Cindy has a BA in English and History and an MS in Educational Administration. In her free time, Cindy likes baking, scrapbooking, and reading.

Marilyn Weber

CERTIFIED TUTOR

Marilyn has utilized her 42 + years of classroom teaching in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, inspiring students toward their educational goals at Sylvan Southlake since 1998. Marilyn holds her BA and MA degrees from Rosary College, NIU, and TCU, with dual certifications in Illinois and Texas for 6-12 History and English. She is currently working towards her Doctorate. She enjoys volunteering at her church, playing the piano, gardening, playing crossword puzzles, and reading historically based novels.

Laura Moore

CERTIFIED TUTOR

Laura Moore is a Math and Reading instructor for Sylvan Learning Center. Before coming to Sylvan, she taught in Texas, Kansas. She holds a BA in Elementary Education and MS in Special Education / Counseling from Baylor University. When Laura isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, exercising, reading, and spending time with her family.

Laure Pilgrim

Certified Tutor

Laure is a certified teacher in Southlake, TX with a gift for working with kids. While Laure has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in English/language Arts tutoring. She studied at the University of Missouri. When Laure isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her running, working out or playing with her grandchildren!

Tehya Armstead

Tutor

Tehya is a tutor at Sylvan Learning of Southlake and Keller. Tehya holds a Bachelors in Biomedical Science and teaches Mathematics and Science at Sylvan. When Tehya is not at Sylvan, she enjoys cross stitching and solving puzzles.