Meet Our Team

Jessica Agopian

Director

Jessica is the Center Director and Owner of Sylvan Learning of West Covina. She began her journey with Sylvan as a Center Director in Glendale, where she quickly discovered how fulfilling it was to support students and their 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, excited to build something meaningful for her local community.

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 a space 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 her friends and family. She also loves traveling, iced coffee, and finding new ways to make learning fun for everyone who walks through the door.

Chelsea Moore

Director

Chelsea is the Director of Education at the West Covina center. She helps develop and implement learning strategies to help each student reach their academic potential and beyond. Chelsea received her Bachelor’s Degree in English from Cal State University, Los Angeles.

While in college, she worked as a private tutor for students of all ages. There she found her passion for working with children and loves watching them learn and grow. She also has a background in ABA Therapy and worked as a Registered Behavior Technician. Fun fact: Chelsea started off as a Sylvan instructor and worked her way up to the Director position!

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

Abyrina Nickens

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.

Julianna is a Program Manager and instructor at Sylvan. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing & English and has a strong literature background with a passion for reading fictional literary works.

At Sylvan, Julianna hopes to help kids enjoy reading and writing as much as she does. She plays a key role in supporting students at the center and also helps manage Sylvan’s after-school programs on local school campuses. She is passionate about inspiring students to find joy and confidence in both subjects. Her goal is to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel confident to express themselves creatively and think critically about the texts they encounter.

During Julianna’s free time, she likes to play video games, read novels, and spend time with friends.

Joana Gomez

Joana was born in Los Angeles but later moved to Pico Rivera. Within the Los Angeles Unified School District, she developed a love for learning at a young age, which sparked her interest in becoming a teacher.

Joana is currently attending Cal State Los Angeles to complete her teaching credential. She has been working in education since 2014, gaining experience as an after-school program leader, an instructional aide, and a teacher assistant. Her passion and dedication to educating students drive her as she works toward finishing her credential.

When she’s not busy with school or work, Joana enjoys catching up on shows, reading, and taking walks. She also loves spending time with her loved ones.

Rosa has been a dedicated instructor at Sylvan for over 15 years. With a deep passion for English and writing, she brings both experience and enthusiasm to every session. She earned her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles.

Before joining Sylvan, Rosa worked as a substitute teacher for the Mountain View School District. She currently teaches high school English in the La Puente area, where she continues to make a positive impact on her students’ academic journeys.

Outside the classroom, Rosa enjoys reading, traveling, and watching movies. She’s a proud Los Angeles Dodgers fan and loves staying active by playing volleyball. In her downtime, she finds joy in strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., embracing the magic of simple moments.

Alexandra Diaz

Alexandra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. Previously, Alexandra supported LAUSD students affected by the challenges of COVID, helping them regain their academic footing.

Alexandra is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students feel confident in their academic journeys.

In her spare time, Alexandra loves going to the gym, reading, and spending time with friends. At Sylvan, Alexandra aims to inspire a passion for learning in students while helping them achieve academic success.

Brenda Garcia

Brenda is a compassionate and student-centered educator with a deep commitment to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Liberal Studies and Spanish, and her Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching from the University of Redlands. Brenda has served in a variety of educational roles, including as a Site Program Manager and long-term substitute teacher.

She believes that connection is the heart of learning and uses restorative practices, social-emotional support, and clear structure to help students feel empowered. Brenda also believes that all students can thrive when supported with patience, consistency, and by honoring their individual learning styles. Her background working in both classrooms and after-school programs has shaped her intentional approach to meeting each child’s unique needs.

Outside of work, Brenda recharges by going on walks, reading, cooking, and enjoying sunshine-filled days with her dog at the park. She believes that with the right support, every student has the power to grow with confidence.

Kezia Ugay

Kezia Joy Ugay has always been fascinated by science and math, which led her to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering from San Jose State University, combining her interests in medicine and technology. Growing up in the countryside of the Philippines sparked her early love for science and nature.

Her first experience teaching children was through Sunday school at her local church, where she taught students from kindergarten to middle school. Since last year, Kezia has been tutoring math more formally and enjoys helping students build confidence and skills in math subjects.

In her free time, Kezia enjoys 3D designing, practicing Zumba, and exploring new places and foods. She is passionate about inspiring students and supporting their academic growth.

Catherine Gutierrez

Catherine is passionate about mathematics and ensures that every student has the opportunity to call themselves a mathematician. She understands the impact of mathematics in the world, no matter what field a career is in. Mathematics and learning involve making mistakes, and as such, Catherine has learned that confidence is a necessity in every step of the learning process. She works hard to instill a love for learning in all students, as her teachers did for her.

She is currently earning her degree in Pure Mathematics, which is essentially the “why” behind mathematics, at Cal Poly Pomona. She was an AVID Tutor at South Hills High School, as well as an after-school tutor at iPoly High School.

Aside from studying, Catherine likes to spend her time working on jigsaw puzzles, listening to music, playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends, and keeping up with Marvel Comics news. She is also a fan of sci-fi novels, television, and movies.