Meet Our Team

Jody Simpson

Regional Director

Jody has been with Sylvan for over 24 years. Jody conducts conferences, assists families with their needs and ensures that our center is always upholding the Sylvan Pledge! She loves to build relationships with families and create life long partnerships. In her spare time, Jody loves to spend time with her family, attend all of her kids events, travel, and try new recipes.

Katie Ruby

Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Sylvan Learning Center, Katie leads the center and community partnerships with initial family and community consultations,  manages the overall customer experience, and ensures high-quality operations are executed. Katie’s international education in both business and hospitality has allowed her to travel to several corners of the world. Through this international experience, she found a passion for helping children in their education while volunteering for several youth causes throughout her studies abroad. When Katie is not at Sylvan you’ll find her enjoying time with family and friends.

Bree Koester

Director of Educational Growth and Development

Bree oversees the educational integrity of our programs, and manages and trains our team of tutors in Johnston. She studied Education at the University of Iowa and is a Certified Leadership Coach. She has four kids ages 8 to 17 & is working towards her Masters in Organizational Leadership at Grand View University. When Bree isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her kayaking with her husband, biking, disc golfing or traveling.

Celeste McQuistan

Executive Assistant

Celeste, also known as CC! Is the Executive Assistant at Sylvan Learning Center of Johnston and Community Partnerships. CC assists the Directors with high functioning administrative work such as student and family scheduling and important customer services responsibilities. She also helps facilitate and organize community partnerships, keeping track of community programming, and officiating communications between Sylvan and community partners. She has recently graduated from Iowa State University and spends most of her time outside of Sylvan reading, writing, telling stories, and cheering for the Cyclones!

Bob Geurink

Certified Teacher

Bob has been working at Sylvan for five years! He has taught in Iowa high schools for over 30 years, as an English teacher, the last 21 at Dallas Center-Grimes. He lives in Norwalk with his wife, Brenda, and their two youngest children. He also has two adult children!

Vance Lipovac

Certified Teacher

Vance has been a member of the Sylvan team for almost a decade. He taught professionally for one year in El Paso, Texas for the 1991-92 school year. Vance enjoys movies, gardening, and reading.