Meet the Glendale team

With a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from UC San Diego and over eight years of tutoring experience, Surhan began her Sylvan journey as a teacher. Skilled at tailoring an individualized approach for her students she found a passion in being able to help families find tailored solutions too. As Associate Center Director, Surhan helps families and students achieve their individualized academic goals. Outside of work, she enjoys surfing, jogging with her dogs, and embracing challenges that inspire her students and families.

Jason graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Diego State University, where he double-majored in English and Women’s Studies, completed the English Honors Thesis Seminar, and earned a Certificate in Creative Writing. As Director of Education and with a lifelong love for literature, Jason is committed to helping students find confidence and success in learning. He brings years of teaching experience across elementary, high school, and college levels to his work at Sylvan. When not in the classroom, Jason enjoys reading novels, writing stories, and teaching his cat new tricks.

Marilyn Del Rio has been with the Sylvan team for over 10 years supporting centers all over Los Angeles in various roles including partnerships, marketing and local directorship. Her favorite part of working with Sylvan though has been helping families find solutions for their child(ren) and seeing the confidence grow with their skills. As Senior Director of the San Gabriel Valley, Marilyn leads the local directors and teams of various centers in the San Gabriel Valley to ensure the best experience for our families. When she's not in the center, you'll find her at the nearest dog park with her dog Gigi, enjoying the day with her niece Daisy, or enjoying live music at a local concert.

Greg is a Center Assistant at Sylvan of Glendale, known for his empathetic and humorous approach to supporting students. He is currently studying Sociology with a Minor in Ethics at California State University, Northridge, and aims to pursue a career in counseling or social work. Greg has a natural ability to connect with students of all ages, creating a welcoming, supportive environment. Outside of Sylvan, Greg enjoys video games, journaling, photography, exploring philosophy, and spending time with his cat.

Graham, a teacher and Writing Program Manager at Sylvan of Glendale, brings his background in Literature and Writing from Chapman University and over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry to his teaching. Known for his creative, engaging approach, Graham customizes writing resources and provides detailed feedback to help students develop their writing skills. Outside of work, Graham enjoys making pizza, playing music with his band, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Emily is a pre-med student at California State University, Northridge, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a strong focus on laboratory research. She discovered a passion for teaching through her studies and has worked with students from Pre-K to middle school in afterschool programs and private tutoring. At Sylvan, Emily uses creative and motivational techniques to help students reach their academic goals. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, reading, sketching, and playing tennis.

Fabio 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 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.