Meet Our Team

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 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 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, “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.

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 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 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 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.