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The People Behind the Progress

Meet the Asheville team

Certified teachers, local school know-how, and a director who reviews every student’s plan personally. These are the people your child will high-five on the way in.

Say hi to

Our Teachers

Anthea Rose, Director of Admissions
Anthea RoseDirector of Admissions

Anthea graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in Education Studies & Human Relations, Creative Writing/English, and a certificate in Resilience & Trauma-Informed Perspectives. She is currently pursuing a masters in School Counseling from Western Carolina University. At Sylvan, she enjoys making a fun and adaptive learning environment for all students. In her free time, she enjoys painting and playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Frankie Gazaway
Frankie GazawayDirector of Education

Frankie has 25 years of experience in education including public & private schooling as well as homeschooling. Her degree is in Early Childhood Education from Bob Jones University. Her greatest interest is her family- she has five sons, the oldest of whom is a Marine. She is a huge advocate of teaching the whole child and ensuring the best education for all students. In her spare time, she is an avid reader and loves to cook and try new recipes.

Meredith Vessely
Meredith VesselyTutor/Admin Assistant

Meredith is a Boutique owner in Weaverville, NC with a gift for working with kids. While Meredith has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in upper level math tutoring. She studied accounting at Portland Community College. When Meredith isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her painting, knitting and crafting. She also enjoys hanging out with her two Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Megan Barker
Megan BarkerTutor

Ms. Baker’s interest in special edcation began while in high school when she volunteered with the Special Olympics. She got her Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf Education K-12 at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007, and Pre-K add-on license in 2010 at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Megan is a native to Asheville. She lives in West Asheville with her daughter, cat, and dog.

Kena Grooms
Kena GroomsTutor

Kena Grooms has been an educator for over 30 years. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill Collene in Elementary Education. Kena enjoys teaching and tutoring learners and watching them grow in their learning. Kena enjoys spending time with family exercising, and loving on her three poodles. She is a Breast-Cancer Survivor!

Sveta IvanovInstructor

Sveta graduated in 2018 from Mars Hill University with a degree in Elementary Education. She was a teacher for seven years before deciding to pursue a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics from Liberty University. She grew up with eight older siblings and is an aunt to twenty-three nieces and nephews. Sveta enjoys reading, art and crafts, and spending time with her family.

Melissa Deloach
Melissa DeloachSAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Director/Professor

Melissa Deloach joined the Sylvan team in May 2019. By day she’s the Director of the Scholar’s Academy for Spartanburg County, but in the evenings and on Sundays, she manages our college prep program, including SAT/ACT prep and College Reading Strategies. Melissa holds degrees from Clemson University and Converse College. When she isn’t helping teens prepare for college either here or at the Scholar’s Academy, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Dr. Jeff French
Dr. Jeff FrenchSAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Professor

Dr. Jeff, as his Sylvan students call him, graduated from Furman University in 1995. He then held a variety of college-level roles as a graduate student, program coordinator, and instructor for the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College while also serving as a zookeeper at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. With a focus on genetics and ecology, Dr. French finished his graduate work in biology and currently serves as Chair of Biology and Assistant Dean of Science and Math at North Greenville University. In his “free time”, he enjoys preparing students for the SAT and ACT as a LIVE, online instructor for Sylvan. Give us a call at (828) 358-3943 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals. * Indicates required field Loading testimonials… Call us today: (888) 338-2283 Find a Location Call us today: {{phone}} Your Center: {{marketing_name}} Change Location Your Center: {{marketing_name}} Discover, book, and track classes, camps, and parties; keep the whole family’s schedule in one place; and celebrate every milestone along the way. Download the app to get started: Tutoring by Topic Home Office (888) 338-2283

Come meet us in person

Stop by for a free Insight™ Assessment

You’ll meet the team, tour the center, and leave with a clear picture of your child’s strengths and gaps — whether or not you enroll.

or give us a call(828) 358-3943
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