Meet Our Team

Bri Pohlmann

Center Director

Director

As Center Director, Bri leads [main responsibilities] for Sylvan of Bellevue. A former teacher, Bri chose a career with Sylvan because of her passion for helping families and working with students in a one-on-one environment. She has a degree in music education from Doane University in Crete, Nebraska. When Bri is not at Sylvan, you can find her attending concerts and events, tending to her plants, or spending time with her family.

Amanda Meireles

Lead Teacher

Amanda is a 2nd Grade teacher in LaVista who loves crocheting and taking care of her many pets – two dogs, two cats and a bearded dragon. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She also has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with an ESL endorsement.

Wenda Gilman

Lead Teacher

Wenda is a former high school and middle school English teacher. She studied English and History at Buena Vista University. As a child, Wenda wanted to be a teacher. She loves her family and enjoys reading and binging her favorite shows. She is inspired by the kids she is working with and loves teaching reading at Sylvan!

Emily Sutherland

Lead Teacher

Emily is a librarian and educator with a Masters of Library Science and is working on a second Masters in Instructional Design. She enjoys fostering learning and literacy in students of all ages. She worked as a substitute teacher for the Vacaville Unified School district in Vacaville, CA for two years. There she specialized in special education and integrated SEL in k-6 classes. Receiving recognition for providing exceptional learning environments. She has also been working in libraries for 10 years, helping library users with digital literacy and developing research skills. At home she enjoys, reading, art, and playing board games.

Mariah Kochera

Tutor

Mariah graduated from UNO with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Minor in English. With ESL and TEOSOL endorsements, she brings great depth to our center! She currently works as a teacher at Omaha Catholic School and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Diagnostics. When she isn’t teaching or studying, Mariah loves to do Pilates, cook, draw and garden.

Sydney Harvat

Tutor

Sydney has a degree in Elemetary and Special Education from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She is originally from Omaha. Sydney is looking forward to her first year teaching in the Papillion LaVista school district! She loves working with students and helping them reach their full potential. When she’s not working or studying, you’ll find Sydney reading, playing tennis, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mackenzie Burton

Tutor

Mackenzie has a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She was born in Louisiana, and grew up overseas. Mackenzie’s favorite thing about teaching at Sylvan is getting to help students face new challenges every day. When not at Sylvan, you can find Mackenzie reading a book, script writing, hiking, or solving puzzles.

Jenny Schaefer

Tutor

Jenny has a degree in Elementary Education from Creighton University. Jenny has over 20 years of teaching experience, and 8+ years of Sylvan experience! She loves working with young students and watching them experience the “lightbulb” moments when understanding seems to click into place. When not at Sylvan, Jenny can be found reading, tending to her flower garden, and traveling.

Ashley Meyer

Director of Sales & Marketing

As the Regional Director, Ashley trains, coaches and leads the team on as well as builds relationships in the community for Omaha and Bellevue. A former preschool teacher, Ashley chose a career in the tutoring business because she believes in helping students achieve their full academic potential. She studied at Doane. When Ashley isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her cooking and watching Marvel movies.