Meet Our Team

Kent

Owner

Welcome to Sylvan Learning Center! My name is Kent Kolbow, and I am the owner and one of the directors. I received my college education in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During my educational experience, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Math with a strong background in Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology. I also earned an endorsement in Education. Throughout college, I taught at Sylvan Learning centers in Fort Wayne, and within a few years, became the director. In 1997, I decided to purchase the Sylvan centers in Elkhart and Mishawaka. I have since had the opportunity to purchase nine additional centers in Indiana, four in Florida, and five in Maryland. My goal through working with Sylvan is “Success with every student.”

Sarah

Chief Operating Officer/ Owner

As Chief Operating Officer & Owner, Sarah oversees eleven centers in Indiana (Mishawaka, Elkhart, Merrillville, Schererville, Valparaiso, Fishers, Carmel, Plainfield, Greenwood, Fort Wayne North, & Fort Wayne South), four Florida centers (Clermont, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips & Kissimmee), and five centers in Maryland (Bel Air, Crofton, Catonsville, Timonium, & Columbia). She thoroughly enjoys working with all of the students and their families. Sarah studied at Cedarville University.  When Sarah isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.

Skye

Director of Education

Skye is a Director at Sylvan in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. She studied Animal Sciences at Purdue University and Business Administration at Indiana Wesleyan. When Skye isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing board games, quilting, or watching movies with her dogs.

Rebecca

Director of Education

Rebecca is a director at Sylvan of Mishawaka. She studied Elementary & Special Education at IUSB. While Rebecca has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in grades K-4 reading instruction. When Rebecca isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with family and baking bread.

Sarah

Director

Sarah is a director at Sylvan of Mishawaka. While Sarah has many talents, she finds the greatest joy in running operations. She studied Exercise Physiology in college. When Sarah is not at Sylvan, you’ll find her outside enjoying nature!

Valeri

Center Director- Plymouth Satellite

Valeri is Director at Sylvan of Mishawaka- Plymouth Satellite. While Valeri has many leadership talents, she finds the greatest joy in building connections with students and their families. Valeri is a graduate of Indiana University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education, and in 2024 earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration.

When Valeri isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her husband and son.

Lucy

Center Director

Lucy is a Director at Sylvan in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Lucy has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in social studies tutoring. She studied Secondary Education with a focus on history at Indiana University. When Lucy isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, running, or watching movies.

Faith

Director of Education

Faith has been with Sylvan since 2018 when she started as a teacher at the Fort Wayne location. Before Sylvan, she taught high school English for five years with experience in Honors 9-12, Creative Writing, as well as AP Language and Composition. Now, she maintains the educational growth of all her Sylvan students by monitoring programs and ensuring their effectiveness. While she has many tutoring talents, she finds the most joy in working with Writing and College Prep students. When not at Sylvan, Faith is most likely snuggling her two dogs or drinking more coffee!

Corbin

Corbin studied Intercultural Studies and English. While Corbin has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in English homework support. When Corbin isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him cooking, reading, or going on walks along the river.

Haylie

Lead Instructor

Haylie is the Lead Instructor at Sylvan Learning of Mishawaka and Elkhart with a gift for working with kids. While Haylie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring middle school math and SAT Prep. She studied at Cedarville University. When Haylie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing tabletop games with friends, cheering on her favorite teams in football and hockey, and enjoying a chai latte.

Victor

Tutor

Victor is a lead instructor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Victor has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in mathematics tutoring. He studied Math and Education at Bethel University. When he isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing tabletop games, skateboarding, or reading at cafes.

Bridget

Tutor

Bridget has worked at Sylvan of Mishawaka since 2004. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Mass Communication from Saint Mary’s College, as well as a graduate degree in English from Indiana University South Bend. Bridget teaches middle school English Language Arts and Literature at Saint Anthony de Padua School in South Bend. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked in Public Relations at the University of Notre Dame.

Caitlin

Tutor

Caitlin is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN. with a gift for working with kids. While Caitlyn has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in Beginning Reading tutoring. She studied Elementary Education and Spanish at Saint Mary’s College. When Caitlin isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her listening to music, reading, or spending time with friends and family.

Courtney

Tutor

Courtney is a 4th-grade teacher in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Courtney has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading and study skills tutoring. She studied at Indiana University Bloomington. When Courtney isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her enjoying time with her family, coaching high school baseball, and chasing around her son and dog.

Henry

Tutor

Henry is a mathematics teacher in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Henry has many tutoring talents, they find the greatest joy in Geometry, Algebra, and Precalculus. He studied at Indiana University. When Henry isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him traveling with his family or visiting family and friends in Honduras.

Jamie

Tutor

Jamie has been with Sylvan since 2006, and she brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan. She graduated from Ball State University. When Jamie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her camping, hiking, or baking.

Joe

Tutor

Joe is a teacher in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Joe has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in reading and writing tutoring. He studied at Indiana University-Bloomington. When Joe isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him walking his Boxer-mix and hanging with his family.

Kaityn H

Tutor

Kaitlyn is a tutor at Sylvan of Mishawaka. While Kaitlyn has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in early elementary reading and phonics. She studied Education at Western Governor’s University. When Kaitlyn isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her shopping, baking, or spending time with family.

Kyle

Tutor

Kyle is a tutor in South Bend, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Kyle has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. He studied at Bowling Green State University. When Kyle isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing board games or playing with his two miniature schnauzers.

Lisa D

Tutor

Lisa D. is a Reading/Math teacher in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Lisa has many tutoring talents, they find the greatest joy Reading. She studied at Indiana University South Bend. When Lisa isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, baking or hiking.

Marie

Tutor

Marie is a second-grade teacher in South Bend, IN, with a gift for working with kids. While Marie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring writing students. She studied at IUSB. When Marie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, writing, feeding her cats, and visiting Presidential history sites.

Nancy

Tutor

Nancy is a tutor at Sylvan of Mishawaka. While Nancy has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in K-3rd grade reading. She studied Accounting at Notre Dame and Education at IUSB. When Nancy isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys watching Notre Dame sports, crafting, and reading.

RJ

Tutor

RJ is a teacher  in Elkhart, IN with a gift for working with kids. While RJ has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in science tutoring. He studied Wildlife at Purdue University. When RJ isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him running, writing, or watching his favorite sports teams.

Stephanie

Tutor

Stephanie is a tutor in Mishawaka, Indiana with a gift for working with kids. While Stephanie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring reading, wirting, and math. She studied Elementary Education and Special Education at Lebanon Valley College and Shippensburg University of PA. When Stephanie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her gardening, baking, crocheting, or sewing.

Tracy is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Tracy has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied Elementary Education at IUSB. When Tracy isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her volunteering at Meow Mission, taking care of pets and wildlife, and being outdoors!

Jodi is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Jodi has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in teaching SAT Verbal. She studied French Education at Valparaiso, and earned her Master’s in Education from Indiana Wesleyan. When Jodi isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her at the gym, playing with her dogs, or visiting her chickens.

Andrew is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Andrew has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in teaching SAT Verbal. He studied History and English, while also earning a Master’s in Creative Writing from University College Dublin, Ireland.  When Andrew isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him writing poetry, running, and reading.

Karyn is a tutor in Mishawaka, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Karyn has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in teaching math to elementary students. She received her Bachelors from Indiana University-South Bend, and earned her Master’s in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. When Karyn isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, spending time with her family, or watching TV.

Mia

Tutor

Mia is a tutor at Sylvan of Mishawaka. While Mia has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in college prep math tutoring. She studied Chemical Engineering at Notre Dame. When Mia isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, walking on campus, or browsing the aisles at Trader Joe’s!