Meet Our Team

Jessica Agopian

Franchise Owner

Director

Jessica is the Owner of Sylvan Learning of West Covina and Sylvan Learning of Glendora. She began her journey with Sylvan as a Center Director in Glendale, where she quickly discovered how fulfilling it was to support students and families through education. After years of working with kids in various roles, she knew this was the path she was meant to follow. In 2023, Jessica took a leap and purchased the West Covina center, and in September 2025, she expanded her impact by acquiring the Glendora center.

She earned her degree in Business Management from Cal State Long Beach and grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where she still visits her parents most weekends.

Jessica is passionate about creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and confident. She believes that every child can succeed with the right guidance, patience, and encouragement.

Outside of Sylvan, you’ll find her learning new things, reading a good book, or spending time with friends and family. She also loves traveling, iced coffee, and finding new ways to make learning fun for everyone who walks through the door.

Abyrina Nickens

Center Director

Director

Abyrina is the Associate Center Director at Sylvan Learning of West Covina, bringing with her over three years of experience working with students. Her passion for education and student success began during her time at Northern Arizona University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Abyrina believes in student success and is dedicated to helping students build the confidence they need to pursue their dreams.

Originally from California, Abyrina spent much of her life in Arizona after moving there with her family at a young age. She is thrilled to be back in her home state and is especially excited to once again enjoy the beach and the magic of Disneyland.

Outside of work, Abyrina is an avid reader who loves spending time in bookstores and libraries, always on the lookout for new stories and inspiring authors. She is enthusiastic about creating a positive, supportive learning environment and looks forward to partnering with students and their families as they grow and succeed together at Sylvan.

Chelsea Castillo

Regional Director of Education

Director

Chelsea is the Director of Education in West Covina. She helps develop and implement learning strategies to help each student reach their academic potential and beyond. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English from CSULA. In college, she worked as a private tutor for students of all ages. There she found her passion for working with children.

She also has a background in ABA Therapy and worked as a Registered Behavior Technician. Chelsea started as a Sylvan instructor and worked up to the Director position!

When she isn’t at Sylvan, Chelsea likes to spend time with family and enjoys film photography. She also loves to travel and explore the outdoors with her husband and their two pups!

Alexis is currently a California State Polytechnic University student working towards a Bachelor’s in Sociology with an emphasis in social work. She enjoys listening to music, reading, and going on hikes with her family in her free time. Alexis enjoys working for the Sylvan Learning Center in Glendora because she gets to interact with our exceptional students.

Bryan is a tutor at Sylvan Learning Center in Glendora primarily focused on math. He graduated from California State University Fullerton with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Bryan knows the impact a good math teacher can make firsthand, so he always tries to make math fun while reinforcing the fundamentals. When he’s not spending quality time with his family, he enjoys solving Sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Melanie Sandoval

Teacher

Melanie has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She enjoys tutoring math to the students at the Sylvan Learning Center in Glendora. In her spare time, she loves cooking, watching movies, and playing guitar.

Suzanne Avila

Teacher

Suzanne serves as a teacher for Sylvan Learning Center. She has worked as an educator in traditional and non-traditional settings, including serving as Educational Outreach Director for a number of for-profit and non-profit organizations. She also has success as a grant writer/project manager, securing contracts for regional parks and open space.

Suzanne holds a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography, with a minor in Women’s Studies; along with a Teaching Credential, Single Subject focus with a Bilingual, Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) certification from California State University, Fullerton. She also holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Social Science from Citrus College.

As a lifelong learner, Suzanne is an avid reader, enjoys nature, and continues to refine her piano playing skills. She began her career as a secondary education teacher and finds it enjoyable to be back empowering students again.