Meet Our Team

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.

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.”

Erik

Center Director

Erik graduated from Grand Canyon University with his Master’s Degree in Theology focusing on Youth and Family Counseling. Erik also has his Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Indiana University with his Organizational Leadership Certification at Purdue University. Erik has taught students that require an alternative education due to behavioral or medical needs. In addition to working as a teacher, Erik Smith develops websites for the private and corporate sector along with designing, creating, and producing podcasts and video streaming.

Cassy

Director of Education

Cassy graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She has five children and one grandchild. After her children were born, she chose to stay home and use her teaching skills by homeshooling all of them. With the last one now taking college classes, she is excited to be back in the public- teaching! She loves music, hiking, baking, and spending time with her family.

Liz

Center Director -Training and Educational Coaching Coordinator

As a Training and Educational Coaching Coordinator, Liz oversees educational opportunities, professional development, program management, instruction, and assists with daily center operations across many centers. Liz has a passion for  education and working with students of all ages. She received her bachelor’s in Education and a Concentration in the Arts at Appalachian State University, and had many opportunities teaching abroad. Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys as well as traveling.

Alexis

Tutor

Alexis is a graduate of Calumet College of Saint Joseph. She is the oldest of five siblings and enjoys spending time with them. She currently teaches fourth grade in Indianapolis and is in the process of becoming licensed to teach Middle School Math. Her hobbies include listening to music and reading her Book Club book of the month. Her favorite place to visit is Canada.

Kenda

Tutor

Kenda is a teacher in Indianapolis, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Kenda has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied Math Ed at Purdue University. When Kenda is not at Sylvan, you’ll find her doing jigsaw puzzles, spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, enjoying time with church family and friends.

Michelle

Tutor

Michelle is a native Hoosier, growing up on the west side of Indy and graduating from Ben Davis High School. She got her BS in Elementary Education at Ball State University and continued there to earn a master of Special Education. She has spent 20 years in Education, currently as a teacher at James A. Allison Elementary in Speedway. She married her high school sweetheart and they have 2 kids as well as a spoiled dog! She is obsessed with Hallmark movies, loves baking cookies at Christmas time, and enjoys taking her dog on walks. She loves being a soccer, band, choir, cheer, and dance mom! If she is not teaching or with her kids, she may be crafting with her Cricut.

Linda

Tutor

Linda is a native of Wisconsin and graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Disabilities.  Once in Indiana, she received a Master’s in Elementary Education at Indiana University.  Linda has taught 25 years across all levels and areas of Special Education.  She helped develop programs for students with special needs and students at greatest risk of school failure.  Throughout her career, she participated in presenting these programs at national conferences. Outside of Sylvan, she enjoys time connecting with her three sisters, serving with her church family, writing, reading, gardening and most importantly, keeping up with her three precious grandchildren who are the joy of her life!

Jon

Tutor

Jon is an IUPUI graduate licensed to teach math and social studies. He has been tutoring and helping students learn for 13 years and is passionate about helping students understand the material they struggle with. He specializes in math and loves seeing the “lightbulb moment” students have when a new subject clicks and they reach a new understanding. Jon’s hobbies include reading, playing games, and staying in for movie nights with his very spoiled cat Jiji.

Amber

Tutor

Amber graduated from IUPUI in 2022 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Her and her husband enjoy a simple life with their son and two dogs. Amber loves working with children because you get to make unique connections with each student and push them to meet their learning goals. When she is not at Sylvan, she loves to watch or read about her favorite stories, try new foods and experiences, and spend time with friends and family.