Meet Our Team

Tracy Pratt

CENTER DIRECTOR

Tracy is a Center Director with years of experience in the education field, working with all types of students from Kindergarten to college-age. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio with EC-6 teaching certification, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Sam Houston State University. Tracy is passionate about student learning and success and enjoys supporting Sylvan’s teachers in their impactful work with students. She also enjoys being outdoors, gardening, and exploring local parks and trails.

Kai Ritter

Director of Education

Kai is a graduate of Texas A&M Commerce with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s Degree in English. She holds certifications in the Core Subjects (EC-6) and ESL Supplemental (EC-6). She loves watching her students learn and grow! In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling with her family.

Alysha Herrera

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Alysha leads several of the Sylvan Learning Centers in the Houston area. Alysha is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Child Learning and Development. She also holds a teaching certificate in Generalist EC-6. In her free time, Alysha enjoys reading, collecting postcards and playing board games. At Sylvan, Alysha loves helping students find their “wow” moments.

Danielle Patterson

Certified Teacher

Danielle is a graduate of Southern Methodist University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.  She is also certified to teach English/Language Arts/Reading.  At the Sylvan of the Woodlands, she enjoys working with the students and helping them succeed their Academic Reading and Math Essentials programs.

DeAnna Garcia

SYLVAN CERTIFIED TUTOR

DeAnna is a tutor at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia who loves working with kids. She attended Houston Community College and the University of Houston studying Early Childhood Development. DeAnna is an energetic, creative, dedicated tutor. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, spending time with her daughter, and baking.

Sarah Gittelman

CERTIFIED MATHEMATICS TEACHER

Sarah is a teacher at Sylvan Learning of the Woodlands and Magnolia who enjoys working with kids and making learning fun, especially for those who are struggling. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and holds certifications in Mathematics (7-12th grade). Outside of teaching, Sarah enjoys playing tennis recreationally. She also enjoys learning, animals, reading mysteries and doing puzzles.

Caitlin Howley

Certified Teacher

Caitlin is a teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia who is always willing to help. She got into teaching because she had teachers and tutors as a child who really helped her, and she likes to do the same for her students. Caitlin holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, and master’s in Intelligence Studies. She is a certified K-12^th Social Studies teacher. Outside of teaching, Caitlin enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and spending time with her dogs.

Gwen Stroud

SYLVAN CERTIFIED MATH TEACHER

Gwen is a teacher at Sylvan Learning of the Woodlands and Magnolia who wants to make a difference and encourage lifelong learning for students. She has a Bachelor’s in Education from Sam Houston State University and holds certifications in 1st-8th Education and ESL. Outside of teaching, Gwen enjoys running, spending time with family, and reading.

Maria Larramendi

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Maria is an enthusiastic and positive tutor at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia with a passion for all things math. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. Maria got into teaching because she loves helping people learn and grow. Outside of tutoring, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and dog.

Ann Fleming

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Ann is a tutor at Sylvan of the Woodlands and Magnolia with a passion for tutoring students and helping them feel better about learning. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science in Academic Studies and has completed postgraduate work in Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Ann is a friendly tutor who looks forward to seeing her students every day. Outside of teaching, she enjoys running half marathons at Disney, volunteering, traveling, and reading.

Ankita Sharma

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Ankita is a passionate teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia. She holds a Master of Arts, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Education from The Texas Institute for Teacher Education. Ankita is certified in Elementary Education, and 4th – 8th English. Outside of teaching, Ankita enjoys singing, travelling and music.

Amber Cooke

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Amber is a patient and determined teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia. She got into teaching because she enjoys helping children strive for academic excellence. Amber holds a bachelor’s in English from the University of Dallas, and master’s in Linguistics from University of Louisville. She is certified to teach early childhood through 4th grade, and English as a second language. Outside of teaching, Amber enjoys golf and fitness.

Diana Estrada

SYLVAN CERTIFIED MATH TEACHER

Diana is a fun and patient teacher at Sylvan Learning of the Woodlands and Magnolia with a passion for math. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s in Education. Diana got into teaching because she loves to help kids and make education fun. Outside of teaching, Diana enjoys training.

Shannon Oswald

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Shannon is a dedicated and passionate teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia. She has a passion for teaching and learning, and loves helping students in their academic success. She earned a Bachelor’s degree at The University of Houston Downtown and a Master’s degree at Our Lady of the Lake University. Shannon is certified in EC-4th generalist Education, and English as a Second Language. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, and playing cards.

Aimee Dalton

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Aimee is a teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia who loves working with youth. She got into teaching because she wants to make a difference in students’ lives. She earned a Bachelors in Business Management at the University of Maryland and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Idaho. Aimee holds a teaching certification in 6th-12th grade Business. Outside of teaching, Aimee enjoys running, exercise, hiking and swimming.

Jamie Bernshausen

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Jamie is a friendly and outgoing teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston and is certified in early childhood through 6th grade. Jamie has a love of learning and wants to share that love of learning with students. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading science fiction and detective novels, and playing Minecraft with her nephew.

Kristen Walker

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Kristen is a happy and cheerful teacher at Sylvan Learning Center of the Woodlands and Magnolia. She loves to see students bloom into fluent readers and solve math problems independently. Kristen holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Academic Studies from Sam Houston State University. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and going to church.

Tammy Black

CERTIFIED TEACHER

Tammy is a tutor at Sylvan of the Woodlands and Magnolia with over 23 years of experience in education. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English from Stephen F. Austin State University and has an English teaching certification for 6th-12th grades. Tammy is artistic and creative, and outside of tutoring, she enjoys writing, playing the keyboard, and studying languages.