Meet Our Team

Mariam Rezian

Center Director

Mariam Rezian is the Center Director for Torrance. She has been with Sylvan since 2019. She graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a BA in Liberal Arts and a minor in English Literature. Mariam is Armenian and has lived in Gardena, California her entire life. In her free time, Mariam is an avid Disney fan and loves to read sci-fi and fantasy novels. What she loves most about Sylvan is that we build a foundation in a student’s education. She feels that Sylvan motivates students and gives them the confidence they need to do well and enjoy school.

Caroline Margolies

Director of Education

Caroline attended Colorado College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English-Poetry. She later attended the University of Colorado Boulder and earned her Master of Arts in Education. Caroline is licensed in Special Education and Elementary and Secondary English Language Arts. A fun fact about her is that she loves cats. Big cats, small cats, all cats. Her hobbies include reading, video games, and napping in sunbeams. She speaks some French and Ancient Greek. What Caroline enjoys most about working at Sylvan is making every individual student feel seen.

Fabio Marquez

Regional Director

Fabio Marquez is the Regional Director for Sylvan and has been with the company for 7 years. In the Regional Director role, he oversees seven centers and is responsible for operations, sales, and ongoing training. Fabio attended UC Irvine where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics along with a Minor in Latin American Studies. He comes to Sylvan with over a decade of tutoring and directing experience. In 2018, he was nominated for the Center Director of the Year Award. This award spans all centers in North America. Fabio enjoys working with families in order to make an ongoing plan for success.

Todd Crabtree

Executive Director

Todd is our Executive Director and has a life-long passion for helping kids achieve academic success.  Todd is the first to graduate from college in his family and served in the Marine Corp for twelve years.  He has been running learning centers since 1998 and he fully understands the impact a good education can have on a child’s life.  A native Southern California, Todd studied at Cal State Fullerton where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Theater Arts. When Todd isn’t working he’s a full-time husband and Dad, driving his son from one practice to the next.  He fully understands what every parent goes through, trying to help their child become the best he or she can be.

Sara Hall

Director of Marketing

Sara is the Director of Marketing for 8 Sylvan Learning centers in Southern California. In addition to overseeing all local digital marketing campaigns across her centers, Sara conducts and manages partnerships with school districts across Los Angeles. Sara’s passion for education began during her time at California State University, Long Beach, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. During her time in college, she studied abroad in Oxford England and taught English in South Korea. When she is not at Sylvan, she’s hiking and exploring the local mountains, hitting the beach, or scuba diving the Channel Islands.

Maritza Rubalcava

Lead Teacher

Maritza Rubalcava joined the Sylvan team in the summer of 2021 and has been an integral part of the team since. She earned her high-school degree from Phineas Banning High and finished her B.A. in Liberal Studies at Cal. State University, Dominguez Hills. There, she was able to achieve honors within her major. Maritza’s kindness always shines through when she is teaching. Remarkably, she is the first person in her family to graduate from college. In her free time, she likes baking, painting, and building puzzles. Maritza is fully fluent in Spanish, and at Sylvan, she teaches reading and writing. She takes joy in learning from the students while also knowing that they are learning from her.

Cherry Arabit

Center Assistant

Cherry Arabit is one of our splendid Center Assistants here in Torrance. She attended CSU Channel Islands where she received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Her favorite part about working for Sylvan is being able to positively connect with parents, students, and all of our staff here at Sylvan

Christine Arabit

Teacher Assistant

Christine attended West High School and is currently attending California State University Dominguez Hills to pursue her Bachelor of Arts Degree. She is a certified Behavioral Interventionist. Christine’s hobbies include drawing, listening to K-Pop, and dancing. Christine teaches K-5 Reading and Math at Sylvan. What she enjoys most about working at Sylvan is working with other teachers and helping students with their schoolwork.

Melissa Sterzick

Teacher

Melissa Sterzick is one of our well-loved Writing instructors. She grew up in rural California and attended Hemet High School before going on to Brigham Young University. There, she studied Journalism and was awarded a Dow Jones Editing Internship. Her long-standing passion for all things literary has roots in her robust career as a journalist. Before joining Sylvan, Melissa worked as a reporter for a variety of publications. At Sylvan, she teaches Reading and Writing. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and doing yoga. Some fun facts about her are that she used to own a cow named Hamburger, and she can sing in Hawaiian! What Melissa appreciates the most about Sylvan is getting to know the students.

Shannon Martin

Teacher

Shannon Martin bears many years of educational experience. She studied at Cal. State University, Dominguez Hills where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.  Her hobbies include bike riding, racquetball, and walking along the beach. Shannon believes that every child learns in their own unique way.

Lisa Parks

Teacher

Lisa graduated from Southwestern University where she completed her bachelors degree. She went on to pursue her masters degree at Southwest Texas University. Lisa also has a teaching credential for grades K-6. Lisa has taught 1st grade, and has experience in working with younger students. At Sylvan, she specializes in teaching Beginning Reading.

Sofia Hererra

Teacher

Sofia graduated from CSU Fullerton with her BA in Theater Arts, with an emphasis in Education. Besides working at Sylvan, she is also a certificated LAUSD substitute teacher. She specializes in K-5 Reading and Math.  Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, watching musicals, movies, and playing card/board games. Sophia looks forward to helping students reach their “lightbulb” moment, allowing students to feel proud when something challenging comes their way.

Anthony Meek

Teacher

Anthony attended LA Harbor College and earned his AA Degree in Applied Sciences and Mathematics. He currently attends Cal Poly Pomona where he is also pursuing a Math Degree. He is a certified tutor by Sylvan and his community college. A fun fact about Anthony is that he makes music and sings occasionally. His hobbies include Basketball, golf, baking, cooking, playing video games, and watching Math and chess videos on You Tube. Anthony teaches Math, Reading, and Writing at Sylvan. What he enjoys most about working at Sylvan is watching students understand their work better and gain confidence.

Giselle Perez

Teacher

Giselle attended West High School and is currently working on her Bachelors Degree in Human Services at Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Giselle has a lot of experience working with Pre-school and Elementary students. Some of her hobbies include Pickleball and singing worship music. At Sylvan, she specializes in teaching Beginning Reading, Reading, and Writing. What she loves most about working at Sylvan, is that it is a safe space for students to learn and gain confidence in themselves.

Efren Yerena

Teacher

Efren attended Cal Poly Pomona to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology. Efren specializes in teaching high level Math at Sylvan. Efren also speaks Spanish, as it was his first language. A fun fact about Efren is that he can solve a Rubik’s cube. His hobbies include pool (8 ball) and chess. What he enjoys most about working at Sylvan is the positive learning environment.

Lucy Terarakelyan

Teacher

Lucy attended California State University LA and received her BA Degree in Language Arts. She then went on to pursue her MS degree and EdD in Educational Leadership. Lucy also has teaching and administrative credentials. Lucy loves to garden, fish, and bake. A Fun fact about Lucy is that she enjoys creating children’s stories. At Sylvan, Lucy teaches Writing, Reading, and Elementary Math. Lucy speaks Armenian and Russian. What Lucy loves most about working at Sylvan is the teamwork.

Eugene Yakusevich

Teacher

Eugene attended UC Santa Barbara and received his BS Degree in Physics. He then went on to pursue his MS degree in Engineering Physics at UC San Diego. Eugene enjoys loom knitting and gaming. A Fun fact about Eugene is that he likes pigeons. At Sylvan, Eugene teaches Elementary Math, Higher level Math, and high level Science. Eugene also speaks Russian. What he loves most about working at Sylvan is teaching and talking to students.