Meet Our Team

Joan Russell

Director of Family Engagement

Joan Russell serves as our Director of Family Engagement in our Anderson center.  She has over 15 years of experience with Sylvan Learning Center.  She enjoys working with families to determine their goals and setting plans for our students.  When not at Sylvan, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.  You can aldo catch her attending to her garden.

Tammy Hamilton

Director of Family Engagement

Tammy Hamilton holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. She is certified by the State of South Carolina to teach multi-categorical disabilities for grades PK–12. With more than 20 years of experience in education, Tammy has homeschooled her six children, taught in private preschool, and worked in public school special education. She relocated to South Carolina in 2018 and has loved calling it home ever since. Outside of teaching, Tammy is a dedicated Star Wars fan who also enjoys reading, gardening, baking, traveling, and quilting.

McKenzie Wilson

Instructor

McKenzie Wilson is originally from Aiken, South Carolina. She attended Anderson University and graduated in 2022 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. After graduating, she began my teaching career in Anderson 5 at Calhoun Academy of the Arts. She taught 5th grade for one year before transitioning to 3rd grade. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and eating Mexican food with her friends. She began working at Sylvan in 2023 and has really enjoyed extending her teaching to small groups of a wide variety of ages.

Melissa Deloach

SAT/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.

Tracy Levi

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Instructor

Tracy Levi holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree In civil engineering. For eleven years she served as a civil engineer in Florida, working primarily with stormwater management and water quality programs. Since moving to Asheville, she has enjoyed teaching Hebrew and Judaics to religious school students and teaching reading and math at Sylvan. She also teaches SAT/ACT math through our LIVE, online classes. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys the company of her two daughters and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. She also has a passion for music and plays the keyboard in a local band.

Dr. Jeff French

SAT/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.

Amelia Eggert

Easley Instructor

Amelia Eggert is from Asheville, North Carolina, but relocated to Easley during high school. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in May of 2023 with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and she has been a part of Sylvan since! When she is not at Sylvan, you can find her teaching 6th grade ELA at Gettys Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and family, and cheering on the Gamecocks!

Tyson Owens

Instructor

Originally from Williamston, SC and former Palmetto Mustang, Tyson graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. As a dedicated member of the Call Me Mister program, he crafted his skills in teaching and mentorship. Tyson is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, where he actively contributes to youth mentorship and development initiatives. Tyson brings a passion for nurturing young minds and fostering positive growth in the community.

David Courreges

Easley Instructior

David joined our Easley team in May 2024.  He previously worked for The Peace Center and he substituted in Georgia for 8 years.  He loves to be able to work more one-on-one with students.  In he’s free time, he loves listening to music, cooking, and eating!