Meet Our Team

Sangeeta (Sana)

Executive Director

Sana is a passionate leader at Sylvan of Halifax, where she brings over 15 years of experience as an educationalist, dance movement psychotherapist, and holistic life coach. Her commitment to education is evident in everything she does. As the manager of overall operations, Sana works closely with parents to help them set and achieve academic goals for their children, ensuring that each student receives the personalized support they need to thrive.

Believing in a tailored approach to learning, Sana is dedicated to overseeing the educational integrity of all programs at Sylvan. She trains and supervises her team with care and attention, fostering an environment where students can flourish. Her leadership style is rooted in trust and collaboration, making her a reliable partner for parents in their children’s educational journeys.

Outside of her professional role, Sana is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner who enjoys learning new advancements in technology and learning, volunteering in the community, painting, reading, meditating, and binge-watching Netflix. She values self-love and quality time with herself, especially now that both of her boys are pursuing their dreams at top Canadian universities.

Parents can feel confident knowing that Sana’s extensive experience and genuine passion for education will provide their children with the nurturing and supportive environment they need to succeed. Welcome to Sylvan of Halifax, where every child’s potential is recognized and celebrated!

Smita

Academic Co-ordinator

Smita is a dedicated educator with 18 years of tutoring experience and an MBA from the University Canada West in Vancouver. She is passionate about guiding children to discover their unique strengths and thrive academically. Smita firmly believes that every child has the potential to succeed, and she tailors her teaching methods to meet each student’s individual needs, making learning both enjoyable and effective.

At Sylvan, Smita combines her business education with her love for learning by supervising and managing the backend academic programming of all Sylvan programs. She excels in parent interaction, handling customer inquiries and initial consultations through to periodic progress conferences. With family at the heart of her approach, Smita collaborates closely with parents to create a supportive environment that fosters growth and confidence in their children.

Outside of her professional commitments, Smita enjoys relaxing at home or visiting the library, where she explores new ideas and resources.

Lynsey

Teacher / Tutor

Lynsey has been a valued member of the Sylvan Learning Centre team for over 7 years, bringing her passion for education to students of all ages. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Education in Developmental Psychology, and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed). Lynsey specializes in teaching language arts, math, and science up to graduate school levels, ensuring that her students receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs.

Her holistic and individualized approach to teaching focuses on instilling a love of learning in her students. Lynsey believes that every child has the potential to thrive, and she is dedicated to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to reach their goals.

Outside of her professional life, Lynsey enjoys relaxing at home with her fiancé and their cat, Sylvie. She also loves listening to podcasts and spending time at her cottage doing puzzles. Lynsey’s adored by students and parents alike for her commitment to their children’s education, fostering both academic success and personal growth.

Denise

Teacher / Tutor

Denise is an experienced educator with over 12 years at Sylvan Learning, where she has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education, along with valuable experience as an Education Specialist at Parks Canada.

Denise believes in creating a warm and supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to explore their potential. Her teaching philosophy centers around recognizing each student’s unique strengths and helping them discover and develop these abilities through engaging lessons tailored to their individual needs.

She is passionate about building strong relationships with her students and their families, understanding that collaboration is key to academic success. Denise is committed to guiding her students on an exciting learning journey filled with discovery, creativity, and growth.

In her personal life, Denise enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, and exploring the great outdoors. Parents love and trust Denise knowing she will provide a nurturing educational experience for their children, as she is dedicated to their academic success and well-being.

Dan

Teacher / Tutor

Dan is a passionate educator who believes in a holistic and individualized approach to teaching. With Bachelor degrees in Science and Education from Acadia University, as well as a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Science/Engineering from Dalhousie University, he brings a diverse academic background to his role. Dan has over 15 years of experience teaching and tutoring students in math and science at the middle school and high school levels.

For more than 2 years, Dan has been an integral part of the Sylvan Learning team, where he works closely with students to help them achieve their academic goals. His commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment ensures that each student feels valued and empowered to succeed.

In his spare time, Dan enjoys staying active, watching movies, and spending quality time with his two children. Parents trust Dan’s extensive experience and dedication to personalized education knowing he provides their children with the guidance and support they need to excel.

Joanna

Teacher / Tutor

Joanna is a passionate educator dedicated to making learning accessible and enjoyable for all students. Her journey in education began at Dalhousie University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and worked at the university’s Learning Center. This experience ignited her love for teaching, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Education at Western University. After enriching her teaching skills while traveling across Canada, Joanna began her career with Sylvan Learning in Victoria, BC. She is now thrilled to be back in her home province of Nova Scotia, where she continues her work with Sylvan Learning of Halifax Regional Municipality.

With almost four years of experience at Sylvan Learning Centres, Joanna specializes in math, writing, and reading. She is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. Joanna believes that education should be both challenging and fun, and she strives to create engaging lessons that inspire students to thrive.

Outside the classroom, Joanna embraces her inner geek through gaming. Whether she’s playing, experimenting with game modifications, or crafting narratives inspired by her adventures, she enjoys exploring new worlds and sharing that enthusiasm with her students. Joanna’s approach combines expertise with warmth, ensuring every student feels valued and excited about their learning journey at Sylvan Learning.

Lily

STEM Teacher

Lily is a dedicated recent graduate with an H.BSc in Psychology and Medical Cell Biology, and she is eager to pursue a career in clinical psychology. With several years of experience working with children in various camp, program, and after-school settings, Lily has developed a strong foundation in supporting young learners. Her passion for teaching shines through her extensive tutoring experience, which began in high school.

Lily has successfully tutored students in a wide range of subjects, fuelled by her love of reading and enthusiasm for STEM fields. She is committed to creating a positive and engaging learning environment that inspires students to reach their full potential.

In her free time, Lily enjoys gaming, rock climbing, and painting, which helps her maintain a well-rounded perspective that she brings into her interactions with students.

Vistassja

Teacher / Tutor

Vistassja hails from Nassau, Bahamas, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. A proud graduate of Acadia University, she earned her Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours in 2019, completing advanced coursework in Applied Math and Science, including Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, and Software Engineering. During her high school years, Vistassja excelled in Advanced Placement courses in Calculus AB, English Language and Composition, and United States History.

With a strong foundation in software development, Vistassja has actively contributed to software development teams and has led coding workshops and bootcamps for both adults and children. Her passion for mentoring children is evident; she finds it incredibly rewarding to teach the next generation—one that she believes is destined to solve problems and create innovative solutions beyond our current imaginations.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Vistassja enjoys exploring new ideas through reading, engaging in creative pursuits like painting, and spending quality time with family and friends. Vistassja’s dedication to education and her enthusiasm for fostering a love of learning in children with the guidance and support they need to thrive, wins the parents over repeatedly.

Ian

Teacher / Tutor

Ian Shaule is an experienced educator originally from a small town in Northern Ontario. He spent the last ten years living in Asia, where he worked as a teacher, manager, and curriculum developer. Ian holds a BA in International Development from the University of Guelph and has earned several certificates in ESL teaching and methodology. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Education at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Ian’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that learning is a two-way exchange of ideas. He cherishes those moments when students’ eyes light up with understanding, recognizing that he learns just as much from them as they do from him. His passion for teaching was ignited during his high school years when, as a summer camp counselor, he helped a young girl grasp a challenging concept. Her genuine excitement in that moment revealed to him the transformative power of clear and patient instruction.

When he’s not in the classroom or at Sylvan, Ian enjoys volunteering at the local library, where he teaches English to newcomers to Canada. He also loves tackling challenging 4000-piece puzzles and sharing gaming adventures with his partner. Ian’s dedication to education and community engagement ensures that he brings enthusiasm and warmth to every interaction, making him a valued member of the learning community.

Rachael

Teacher / Tutor

Rachael holds multiple educational degrees, including a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Level 3 Early Childhood Education diploma, and several French language certificates. With over 4 years of experience at Sylvan, she has a proven track record of engaging students and enhancing their language, reading, and math skills. Rachael is particularly passionate about the elementary years, where she finds immense joy in witnessing the progress her students make over time.

Her diverse teaching experience allows her to adapt her methods to meet the unique needs of each child, ensuring that learning is both effective and enjoyable. Rachael believes that every student has the potential to succeed, and she is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that fosters confidence and a love for learning.

Outside of her professional life, Rachael enjoys reading, watching movies, taking long walks, attending spinning classes, and spending quality time with friends. Parents trust Rachael’s commitment to their children’s academic growth and well-being, knowing she will provide personalized support that helps them thrive.