Meet Our Team

Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Columbia consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Columbia know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school.
Get to know our tutors and staff in Columbia!

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.

Mikaila
Tutor
Mikaila is a tutor at Sylvan of Columbia. While Mikaila has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring middle and high school math. She received her bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently studying for her master’s at Georgetown University. When Mikaila isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with friends and family or traveling.

Stephanie
Tutor
Stephanie is a tutor at Sylvan of Columbia. While she has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in emergent literacy, grades Pre-K to Grade 2. She studied Hearing and Speech Science at the University of Maryland, College Park and Early Childhood Education at Towson University. When Stephanie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her cooking, gardening, crafting, and watching Washing Capitals hockey.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (410) 656-8358 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.