Meet the Rochester team

Kayann has been with Sylvan Learning since 1999 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Middle School Education from Winona State University. Kayann began teaching middle school and then decided to make a full-time career within Sylvan Learning. She loves Sylvan mostly because of the confidence and knowledge instilled in students, and for the personal relationships she develops with families. Kayann is happily married to her husband Corey and is the proud mother of Tristan and Makenna; as a family, they love to travel, hike, and go boating.

Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a comprehensive degree in Elementary and Special Education (Learning Disabilities). She also holds a graduate certificate in Intellectual Disabilities from Mankato State University. She began her full-time career in Minnesota as an elementary special education teacher and was promoted to coordinate the special education department. Sarah moved back to Wisconsin to teach before transitioning to Sylvan. Sarah works behind the scenes here at Sylvan in Operations and Marketing. When she isn't at Sylvan, you'll find her spending time outside, reading, visiting friends and family, traveling, and enjoying time with her husband and daughters!

Carissa comes to us with a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of North Dakota. With seven years of teaching experience, she loves helping students grow and succeed. Her favorite subject to teach is literacy, and her favorite part of the job is building meaningful connections with students and families. Outside of teaching, Carissa enjoys traveling and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. Her hobbies include reading, shopping, and golfing.

Keith is a teacher in Rochester, MN with a gift for working with kids. While Keith has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in Math, Study Skills, and Homework Support. He studied at Iowa State, Hope Intl. University, and Winona State University. When Keith isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing piano and singing.

Sue studied at the University of Minnesota and enjoys working with Reading, Writing, and Math students. In her free time, Sue enjoys gardening, reading, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Patti is an experienced educator with 23 years of teaching in the classroom. She earned her degree from Northeastern Illinois University and enjoys helping students build confidence in math while bringing history to life. Patti's favorite part of teaching is watching students grow, gain confidence, and realize what they're capable of. She is passionate about creating a supportive learning environment where every student can succeed.

CJ earned his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia and has four years of tutoring experience. He especially enjoys teaching high school math and loves seeing the moment when a challenging concept finally clicks for a student. Outside of Sylvan, CJ enjoys hiking, tree climbing, and watching football.

Hannah graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls with a degree in Elementary Education. Her favorite subject to teach is reading, and she loves helping students build their skills and grow their academic confidence. Outside of Sylvan, Hannah enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her three horses.

Mario holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at San Antonio and has a passion for teaching math. He enjoys helping students build confidence, think creatively, and reach beyond what they thought possible. Mario believes in empowering students to understand the world around them and develop their own problem-solving skills rather than relying solely on technology. Outside the classroom, he enjoys leatherworking, woodworking, running, cycling, calligraphy, sewing, cooking, electronics, and drawing.