Meet the Oak Park team

As Director of Education, Dr Love oversees the integrity of our educational program by meeting with families for conferences, and supporting our tutors through training and development. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis on Reading Instruction and a Doctorate Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Assessment and Family Engagement. Karen taught in the Chicago Public Schools and retired after 20 years. After a few months she decided that she missed the excitement of being around children and their families and found her way to our Sylvan family where she brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and and deep commitment to seeing students achieve their individual goals. Outside of Sylvan, Karen enjoys making crafts, watching tv and spending time with her 2 feline children - Callie and SweetPea.

Hi, I'm Marina. When I'm not at Sylvan, I'm a full-time EMT. I'm a big STEM enthusiast, especially anthing to do with computers. My babies are my 3 cats, and my custom-built PC. I really enjoy working with high school students to prepare them for the ACT and SAT exams.

I have a younger sibling who as ADHD and dyslexia. When I decided to become a tutor, it was because I wanted to work with children who have similar struggles. I love my younger sibling so much that it has opened a career path for me. I owe her my livelihood, alongside each student I have the privilege to work with.

Hello, my name is Jonathonh, or Mr. Jon! I have been working in education for 6 years at a charter school in the city. I love sharing my knowledge with others. Working at Sylvan has been a gret experience and seeing them grow and develop their skills is awesome.

I genuinely love helping students grow academically while building their confidence and realizing their potential. As a teacher, I am patient, supportive, and passionate about meeting students where they are, understanding that everyone learns differently. I love tutoring at Sylvan because I get to build meaningful connections with the students, celebrate their progress, and remind them that struggling with something doesn't mean they can't succeed.

I work at Sylvan because I've always wanted to help teach and guid children, in hopes of making a real difference. I'm studying at Triton College in history, looking to get my prerequistes done so I can transfer to UIC to become a History teacher. I found my passion by helping my younger brothers through school, and seeing them achieve, grow and connect, making me want to pursue teaching, and helping children grow academically.