Meet Our Team

Ms. Elizabeth Smith

Center Director

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Smith, and I am the Center Director for Sylvan Learning of Strongsville. I have recently moved here from Kansas, where I was a high school literature and composition teacher at a classical school (Cair Paravel Latin School) for over 20 years. I moved east to Ohio to be closer to family once my youngest child graduated. I have a degree in Secondary English Education from Purdue University. Sylvan has allowed me to continue to work with students on multiple levels, and I truly enjoy ensuring that your students’ educational program is helping them on their way to success. I have three daughters who are spread out across the United States and beyond-Minnesota, Washington D.C., and Cologne, Germany. I enjoy traveling, reading, and being with family.

Ms. Tanya Arbutina

Digital/Community Outreach Director

Hello! My name is Tanya Arbutina, and I am the Digital/Community Outreach Director at Sylvan Learning. My journey with Sylvan started in March 2024 as a Teacher (which I still get to do sometimes, and I love it!). Teaching was a great experience for me, as I enjoyed watching students achieve their academic goals and gain confidence. I also enjoy the Director experience: interacting with the community and sharing all the positive aspects of Sylvan has been very rewarding! I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education-Speciality Student Affairs from Liberty University. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, and traveling.

Ms. Shannon Giallourakis

Director

Hello! My name is Shannon Giallourakis. I’ve loved teaching since I was a teenager, volunteering to listen to children read. I received a BBS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics in 2007, and I taught formally at a Classical Christian School near Knoxville, TN. Our family moved back to the Cleveland area, and we decided to homeschool our children. We enrolled in a local Classical Conversations Community, and I got involved as a leader. I found my passion in inspiring parents and kids to be lifelong learners. When I’m not teaching at Sylvan and CC, I also enjoy volunteering at my local church’s children’s ministry, running, practicing jiu-jitsu, reading, singing, and being in nature.

Ms. Denise (Dee) Bonanni

Teacher/ Primary Literacy Specialist

Hello! My name is Denise (Dee) Bonanni, and I am a Sylvan Teacher and Primary Literacy  Specialist. I recently retired from a 34-year teaching career in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, during which I taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Kent State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Marygrove College. In addition, I earned my Reading Endorsement, which complied with the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Working at Sylvan has allowed me to continue my passion for teaching, experience “Aha” moments when students grasp a concept, and watch their excitement as they reach their goals. I am a member of St. Colette’s parish. In my free time, I love to read, swim, bake, and spend time with my family and friends.

Hello! My name is Theresa Ganter, and I am a Teacher at Sylvan Learning Center. I also have experience in teaching college students German. I have a Ph.D. in German from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University. Working at Sylvan allows me to pursue my love of teaching, and I truly enjoy helping kids build their confidence in learning. I also enjoy the fun, crazy times with the kids! I am a grammar nerd, which is why I love teaching reading and writing. I love spending time with my family and pets. I also love to travel to Germany and Quebec. I am currently studying French to improve my skills in the language.

Ms. Alex Gant

Teacher

Ms. Alex is an Intervention Specialist in Medina, Ohio. While Alex has many tutoring talents, she finds great joy in ELA tutoring. She studied at the University of Akron. When Alex is not at Sylvan, you’ll find her enjoying time with her family and friends, exploring nature, hanging with her cats, or watching baseball.

Mr. Sean Marek

Teacher

Sean has been tutoring for 16 years now, and it’s been an amazing journey for him. For the last three years, he has worked at Sylvan Learning, where he has really sharpened his teaching skills and connected with a lot of great students. Before that, he spent 16 years as a private tutor, focusing on math and test prep. Sean attended Baldwin-Wallace University and double-majored in Economics and Philosophy, which gave him a unique mix of skills. He then continued his studies in Philosophy at Cleveland State University for grad school. Teaching isn’t Sean’s job; it’s his passion. The best part for him is seeing that moment when a student finally gets a tough concept and feels confident. That feeling keeps him going. When Sean is not working, he loves playing disc golf. It’s a fun way to stay active and relax, balancing out his academic side. Overall, Sean’s career as a tutor shows his dedication to education and helping students reach their potential. His academic background and personal interests have made him a well-rounded person, committed to making a positive impact on students’ lives.

Mr. Osvaldo Rivera

Teacher

Osvaldo is a retired NASA engineer with 41 years of experience in Aerospace propulsion research, where he served in various managerial positions and where he received numerous awards, including the NASA Exceptional Civil Service Award, and the Wings of Excellence Award from the Cleveland Federal Executive Board (FEB). Osvaldo is passionate about education with a gift for working with kids, which includes in the past, Boy Scouts as an Eagle Scout adult leader/advisor, and soccer coach  for North Royalton travel team, as well as over 40 years with tutoring the youth. Additionally, he made numerous career talks during National Engineering Weeks at Cleveland Public Schools, and served as a tutor with the Cleveland Project Search- a multi Federal Agency tutoring program sponsored by the Cleveland FEB and the Federal Government (1980s). He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and University of Toledo, respectively, so he finds the greatest joy in math and science, as well as Spanish tutoring. When Osvaldo isn’t as Sylvan, you’ll find him enjoying the outdoors-hiking, backpacking, cycling, sailing, and yoga. Osvaldo also enjoys giving back to his community with many volunteering activities at the church where he attends and serves as a Sacristan, and brings the Eucharist to seniors at the Cardinal Court Assisted Living Community in Strongsville ,Ohio.

Mr. Trenton Tipton-Fletcher

Executive Director

Trenton has enjoyed a lifelong love of learning. The son, grandson, and great-grandson of teachers, he has been tutoring math, reading, and writing all of his life. As a former trustee and board president of Ruffing Montessori in Cleveland Heights-from which his son graduated- he has come to learn the nuts and bolts of education. But his favorite aspect of education is the privilege of witnessing those moments when new learning emerges. Trenton graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Finance from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.