Meet the San Francisco team

Ken is an experienced, results-oriented manager who brings a passion for education to his role of Center Director. His leadership style is shaped by his strong commitment to customer service and student growth. Ken manages our complex schedule, ensuring the best possible student-tutor matches, and oversees Center operations with a sharp focus on quality improvement. Ken earned a BA in Philosophy and Religion from SFSU. When not at Sylvan, Ken enjoys reading, meditating, drinking tea, and gardening. Ken is conversational in both Cantonese and Mandarin.

Lori brings a passion for education and a background in executive management to Sylvan Learning of SF. She has held management positions at Apple Computer and Fidelity Investments, and previously served two terms on her local public school board. Lori has raised four sons, each one benefiting from the individualized support they received to reach their academic potential. She focuses on ensuring a center culture of excellence that allows Sylvan students to have fun and build confidence while reaching their academic goals. She also finds great satisfaction in supporting the professional development of Sylvan team members. Lori is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University and a Harvard Business School alumna. She is an avid skier, golfer, hiker, biker and reader.

Donald manages our center business functions and helps oversee center staff. He gets to know Sylvan students by conducting many of our Sylvan Insight Assessments. He also conferences with parents to make personalized tutoring program recommendations that help students reach their academic goals. Donald’s patient and empathetic demeanor, analytical prowess and service orientation contribute to the successful operations of Sylvan Learning of SF. He is a Stanford alum, an avid SF Bay Area sports fan, and an expert chess player. A Bay Area native, Donald resides in San Francisco.

Ian joined Sylvan as a literacy tutor and is now a member of our full-time team where she serves as Education Program Manager. In this role, she supports students, tutors and families and handles educational administration duties. A UCSC graduate with a B.A. in History, Ian earned multiple awards for excellence in research and writing, including the UCSC Chancellor’s Undergraduate Award and the UCSC Deans’ Undergraduate Award. He has experience creating high school curriculum materials, mentoring student interns, and leading educational initiatives through the Watsonville Is in the Heart community archive project. Ian also developed his teaching skills as an Explainer at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, where he facilitated hands-on learning for visitors of all ages. In his spare time, Ian loves to play music and read.

Abeyah brings a big smile, a welcoming personality, and strong communication and organizational skills to her role as Office Assistant at Sylvan of San Francisco. She earned a B.A. in Advertising from USF, with minors in Design and Environmental Studies. During college, Abeyah spent three years as a Community Assistant, welcoming residents, managing front desk operations, and providing administrative support. She also brings experience in customer service and sales, where she developed excellent communication and problem-solving skills. With her warm, welcoming approach and attention to detail, Abeyah is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive experience for all Sylvan students and families.

Pasutorn is our center’s Teaching Assistant, working to support tutors and students while keeping our instructional floor running smoothly. With a B.A. in Communication Studies from SFSU and a strong foundation in critical thinking and interpersonal communication, Pasutorn brings both academic and practical strengths to his role. He has direct experience tutoring students, helping them with homework, study strategies, and building academic confidence. He also contributes some additional language skills to our center team as he speaks both fluent Thai and conversational Japanese!

Dana is an expert reading, writing, math and HSPT tutor and also supports our Saturday team as Instructional Manager. Dana is a teacher and Assistant Principal with the Bay Area Archdiocese Elementary Schools. She graduated with a Physical Education Degree and completed credential coursework at SFSU. When not teaching at Sylvan or in her classroom, Dana enjoys reading, playing tennis, and yoga.

We are thrilled to welcome Scott back to our tutoring team! Bringing a wealth of advanced STEM expertise, Scott holds a BS in Physics from UCSB and is currently completing an MS in Artificial Intelligence at SJSU. His extensive teaching background includes years of experience guiding K-12 and college students through complex subjects like AP Physics, Trigonometry, and AP Calculus AB/BC, alongside public science communication work at the Exploratorium. Having previously excelled at our center, Scott’s proven ability to break down challenging scientific and mathematical principles ensures our students will continue to receive exceptional, personalized academic support.

Ella brings a unique dual-disciplinary approach to her tutoring with a BS in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and a BA in German Studies from the University of Arizona. Her academic awards include the Highest Academic Distinction from the university with a perfect 4.0 GPA and recognition as a National Merit Finalist. Known for her personable and welcoming approach, she combines her strong analytical foundation with classroom experience working as a teacher’s assistant for SF’s SummerGATE enrichment program. A SF local and Lowell High School alumna, Ella stays creative and active through her interests in hiking, thrifting, baking, and embroidery.

Bridget is a highly experienced, effective and friendly reading and writing tutor. She is a California-credentialed language arts educator who holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lehigh University. She centers her teaching on an empathetic, positive, and flexible approach, ensuring that instruction is tailored to meet each student’s unique learning style and needs. Bridget brings strong classroom experience from teaching Humanities with Aim High in San Francisco and student teaching at Liberty High School in Pennsylvania. An award-winning writer, she blends deep ELA expertise with encouraging, data-driven support to help Sylvan students build lasting reading and writing confidence.

Isabel is an accomplished math and science educator who brings a strong academic background and a coaching mentality to her work with our students. She holds B.S. in Physics from University of Washington and a M.S. in Physics from SFSU, providing her with the deep academic foundation necessary to guide students through advanced math and science topics, including calculus. Isabel infuses her tutoring with insights gained as a US Rowing Level 3 Head Coach, adapting athletic coaching principles into academic support. She excels at creating a supportive and structured environment where K-12 students can build confidence, master problem-solving, and achieve their academic goals.

Vanessa brings a friendly, creative and analytical approach to her tutoring. She holds a BS in Mathematics of Computation from UCLA. Driven by a natural curiosity to understand how things work and uncover patterns, she excels at helping students break down complex, real-world math problems into clear, manageable steps. Known for her personable and welcoming approach, she combines her strong quantitative foundation with experience providing dedicated one-on-one student mentoring and support through the Step Up program. A San Francisco local, Vanessa loves connecting with her community to build young learners’ confidence. She spends her free time practicing Pilates, reading, doing Sudoku and searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

David is an experienced academic tutor who supports our math and language arts students from elementary through high school. A graduate of The Urban School of SF with a degree in International Relations from George Washington University, David has experience working with children and teens both as a private tutor and as a classroom teaching assistant at The Bay School of SF. Known for connecting well with students and helping them stay engaged and focused, he brings patience, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt instruction to each student’s individual needs. In his leisure time, David enjoys reading, watching sports and cooking Indonesian food!

Sebastian is a versatile educator who brings a unique blend of analytical precision and creative skill to our learning center. He holds a MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and a B.S. in Microbiology from SFSU. This diverse academic background allows him to excel at teaching both structured analytical writing and creative expression. Sebastian’s teaching experience includes impactful work as a Literacy Specialist with Chapter One US, where he focuses on building foundational reading and communication skills. Sebastian connects easily with students of all learning styles, helping them build strong critical thinking skills and confidence in their writing.

Chloe’s educational and professional background is a great fit for our reading and writing students. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Francisco State University with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Classics, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in English Literature at SFSU. Her prior experience as a gymnastics coach makes her a pro at engaging children in dynamic learning environments like Sylvan. Friendly, personable, and approachable, Chloe is committed to fostering a positive and enriching educational experience for her students. In her spare time, she loves to read, write, and explore the city.

Cheyenne is an experienced reading, math, and writing tutor with a strong academic foundation in the sciences and education, and a proven ability to connect with students of all backgrounds. She studied Biochemistry and Cell Biology at UC San Diego and earned a BA in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Hawaiʻi. Cheyenne is currently pursuing an MS in Clinical and Epidemiological Research at UC San Francisco. Formerly Head Instructor at The Tutoring Center in Honolulu, she is skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement, helping them build confidence and achieve academic success. We are excited to welcome Cheyenne to San Francisco and thrilled to have her on our tutoring team!

Rohan is a friendly, engaging, and versatile tutor who supports K–12 students in reading, writing and math. He holds a B.A. from the University of Southern California, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and University Trustee Honors. A published author of a literary fiction novel, Rohan brings deep expertise in writing, storytelling, and analytical thinking. He also along with hands-on experience teaching writing and math in both one-on-one and group settings. Known for his strong relationship-building skills and encouraging approach, he tailors instruction to each student’s needs while helping learners build confidence and curiosity. As a dedicated fiction writer, Rohan spends much of his spare time writing in SF neighborhood cafés.

With her strong academic background and approachable teaching style, Sarah makes math engaging and accessible for Sylvan students. Sarah earned her B.S. in Physics with a minor in Music from UCSB and later completed a Data Science Certificate at UC Berkeley Extension. She discovered her passion for teaching at UCSB, where she worked as a Learning Assistant guiding group discussions and supporting students in problem solving. She has also mentored and trained others in her professional roles, bringing patience, encouragement, and clear communication to every interaction. A SF native, Sarah also loves the mountains and especially enjoys camping, hiking and backpacking.

Boone brings a strong language and literacy background to his work as reading, writing and history tutor at Sylvan. He holds a B.A. in Intensive History from UC Santa Cruz, graduating cum laude with consistent Dean’s Honors recognition. His tutoring experience includes providing one-on-one and group instruction at the college level, where he developed interactive lesson plans to boost engagement and comprehension. Boone’s additional experience teaching chess to elementary students and working in high-pressure customer service roles demonstrates his ability to manage classrooms, communicate effectively, and adapt to diverse learners—key skills for supporting our Sylvan language arts students!

Keyur is a thoughtful and engaging tutor with a strong foundation in mathematics and economics. A dual-degree graduate from UC Davis, he earned a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and a B.A. in Economics. Keyur believes that mathematics isn’t always intuitive, so he approaches each topic in a way that makes concepts clear and accessible. He enjoys connecting lessons to real-world examples and sharing the fun, memorable parts of math to help students stay curious and confident in their learning. In his spare time, Keyur enjoys playing the harmonica, visiting museums, and spending time with friends. Give us a call at (415) 429-2568 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals. * Indicates required field Loading testimonials… Call us today: (888) 338-2283 Find a Location Call us today: {{phone}} Your Center: {{marketing_name}} Change Location Your Center: {{marketing_name}} Discover, book, and track classes, camps, and parties; keep the whole family’s schedule in one place; and celebrate every milestone along the way. Download the app to get started: Tutoring by Topic Home Office (888) 338-2283