Meet the Mishawaka team

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.”

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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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!

Walker is a tutor at Sylvan of Mishawaka. While Walker has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. He studied Material Science and Engineering at Notre Dame. When Walker isn't at Sylvan, you'll find him reading a new book or tinkering with his 3D printers.

Cait is a tutor at Sylvan of Plymouth. While Cait has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in upper elementary tutoring. She studied Deaf Education & Special Education at Ball State University. When Cait isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her reading, sewing, or attending ASL Club.

Jennifer is a tutor at Sylvan of Plymouth. While Jennifer has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied Elementary Education at Indiana State University and Ball State University. When Jennifer isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her spending time with her family and her pets, working on her house, or crocheting and knitting.

Danielle is a tutor at Sylvan of Plymouth and loves helping students grow as confident readers and writers. She studied Early Childhood Education and Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas State University. When Danielle isn't at Sylvan, she's usually teaching science, sipping a Starbucks drink with a good book in hand, playing with her dogs, traveling when she can, and soaking up time with her family. She believes learning should be fun, encouraging, and full of "aha!" moments!

Teri is a tutor at Sylvan of Plymouth. While Teri has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied Elementary Education at Purdue University. When Teri isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her volunteering, reading, crafting, and spending time with her daughter.