Meet our Twinsburg Tutoring Staff

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Great Teachers Inspire

Our tutors and staff in Twinsburg consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Twinsburg 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 Twinsburg!

  • Melinda Furlong, Executive Director/Owner

    Melinda Furlong

    Executive Director/Owner

    As Center Director, Melinda provides an enriched learning environment that promotes student academic success. She prepares high-quality instruction by using Sylvan's curriculum and consistent communication with families and tutors. Melinda chose a career with Sylvan because she values personal learning that brings positive results. She studied at Cleveland State University earning a master's in Curriculum and Instruction in Literacy Development/TESOL. When not at Sylvan, she spends time with her two teenagers, reads, and watches movies. 
  • Roger Racey, Director/Owner

    Roger Racey

    Director/Owner

    Roger oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing, and training our team of tutors. As a former/current elementary and high school teacher, he brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan of Twinsburg.  Roger graduated from Cleveland State University earning a master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. When he isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him bowling or watching movies.
  • Mandy Dickenson, Center Director

    Mandy Dickenson

    Center Director

    Mandy has been helping students develop and apply effective learning stratigies for 19 years, and continues to enjoy working with both students and teachers. Graduating with her masters in Education from the University of Toronto, Mandy continues to learn and understand changing and evolving educational trends as she works with other educators to help  deliver the best teaching practices to students within the center and the community.
  • Baruch Karp, Director of Education

    Baruch Karp

    Director of Education

    Baruch, "Nick," is a Sylvan teacher who truly cares about his students' learning. He will make all efforts to ensure they understand and apply new skills. Nick graduated from Yeshiva University with a mission to help students unlock their potential and succeed at new things. At Sylvan, he teaches reading, math, and writing. When Nick isn't at Sylvan he enjoys some of his free time playing Dungeons and Dragons and diving into a good fantasy and science fiction movie.
  • Connie Hall, Licensed Teacher

    Connie Hall

    Licensed Teacher

    Connie is a Sylvan teacher with the kindest heart. She studied at Kent State University earning a master's in Special Education and a bachelor's in Educational Studies. She is a Work Study and Option 4 coordinator. Connie loves working at SLT because she loves the awesome staff we help each other and have become like family. Connie is a certified Dog Trainer and Dog Groomer. Her hobbies include working with and training dogs to find plants and working as crisis volunteer canines. 
  • Lynn Campbell, Certified Teacher

    Lynn Campbell

    Certified Teacher

    Lynn is a Sylvan teacher who graduated from Grace College in Indiana. Lynn is a stellar math teacher who works with upper math students. She loves seeing the excitement on students' faces when they understand a new concept after she has shared mathematical tips and tricks. She likes interacting with students one-on-one and teaching with Sylvan's curriculum. When not teaching math at Sylvan, Lynn enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time with her 9 grandchildren! 
  • Denise Goza, Licensed Teacher

    Denise Goza

    Licensed Teacher

    Denise is a stubstitute teacher in Ohio who moved here from Texas after 30 years of teaching. She feels that teaching is the greatest job on the planet! She has the philosophy that education, and educators who love teaching, will change the world. While Denise has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in early literacy tutoring. She studied at East Texas University majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is an ESL-certified educator. When Denise isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. Students who work with Denise will overcome their self-doubt and learn to love learning-one step at a time!
  • Shannon Fife, Licensed Teacher

    Shannon Fife

    Licensed Teacher

    Shannon Fife is a Sylvan teacher who studied and graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor's in Special Education and Master's in Counseling. She takes joy in teaching students so they can be successful with the right set of strategies. At Sylvan, Shannon teaches reading, writing, study skills, and math concepts. When Shannon is not at Sylvan she enjoys coaching softball, swimming, playing games, and watching movies.
  • Kimberly Gerdes, Licensed Teacher

    Kimberly Gerdes

    Licensed Teacher

    Kimberly is a sixth grade teacher in Bath, Ohio with 28 years of full-time teaching experience.  Kimberly enjoys teaching children learning strategies that work for them and watching them succeed. While Kimberly has many tutoring talents, she especially enjoys teaching phonetic and grammar skills. She studied at Kent State University earning her master's degree specializing in Reading. When Kimberly isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her cooking, watching comedies on T.V., and reading.