Meet the Greenville team

Jennifer has recently moved from Florida and is excited about new adventures in South Carolina. She comes with 20 years of experience at Sylvan working in Tallahassee, Fl and Valdosta, GA. She is a graduate from Florida State University and holds degrees in Elementary Education and School Counseling. Jennifer truly loves seeing the “light bulbs” moments and helping students reach their full potential. She enjoys listening to just about any kind of music, watching football and baseball games, and spending time with her family and friends. Much of her free time is spent with her two dogs, Brinson and Maddison.

Executive Director and Franchisee of 7 locations, Amy Gardner currently leads the wonderful educational team for Sylvan of Greenville. After 20+ years in the telecom industry, Amy moved back from Alaska to purchase 3 existing Sylvan Learning locations. 4 locations have since been added to the Gardner Learning Centers franchise locations, each making a difference in the lives of so many families. Amy graduated from Lambuth University in Jackson, TN, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in music. It’s a family business you will often see her children (Daniel, Callie & Caleb) in the center(s) helping out in some way or another.

Karen Weinberg holds South Carolina certifications in Early, Elementary, and Special Education. A graduate of Washington State University, Karen taught in Maine for several years before relocating with her family to South Carolina. Karen enjoys the beach and watching her sons play soccer.

Sara Beth Gilbert is a teacher in Greenville, SC with a gift for working with kids. While Sara Beth has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Lander University and a Master of Arts in Teaching with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Converse College. When Sara Beth isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her teaching first grade at Bethel Elementary School. She enjoys craft projects, reading, going to the beach, and watching baseball and football.

Andrea Vowels is a mother to two wonderful teenaged daughters. She recently moved here from Houston, TX; although she grew up in Michigan. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business, but her passion has always been education. Some of her hobbies include singing/karaoke, playing games, reading, and traveling

Judy is currently teaches for Sylva Learning Center of Greenville. She brings her knowledge of teaching math for over twenty years. As she waited for her new home to be built in Simpsonville, she started working with Sylvan as a tutor in Anderson. In her spare time, she loves baking, cleaning and spending time with her family and grandkids.

Betsy is a tutor at our Greenville location, and has long enjoyed working with Sylvan to help children strengthen skills in reading and math! She graduated with an Early Childhood Education degree, has a Bachelor of Science from Temple University, and when she isn’t working, Betsy enjoys fitness, animals, and reading!

Prior to working at Sylvan Learning Center, Alias worked as a learning coach with Connexus online AP Junior High School and High School. Alias has a background in chemical and civil engineering as an engineering assistant and technician. He is registered with the SCDHEC as a Radiation Safety Officer and as Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector. He also has experience in IT Networking. Alias graduated from Greenville Technical College and Clemson Univeristy. He has enjoyed working at Sylvan.

Arnitha received her undergraduate and graduate degree from South Carolina State University. In Orangeburg, South Carolina, Arnitha worked as a special education teacher for 10 years. She moved to Greenville in April of 2021. She served as a school Psychologist for 25 years and retired in December 2021. She has one son, Charles, a daughter-in-law, Sharon, and three grandchildren. Arnitha enjoys traveling, reading a good book, watching television, and shopping. She has enjoyed working at Sylvan Learning, and she enjoys seeing the joy on the students’ faces when they master a skill!

Kirsten is a graduate of Greer High School. She is currently attending SCC where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Middle and High School Math. Kirsten brings her expertise in Math to the middle schollers here at Sylvan. Her hobbies include watching some of her favorite TV shows like Blue Blood, 911, and Once Upon a Time. We are lucky to have her as a teacher here at Sylvan.

Morgan grew up in Concord, NC and went to Emory & Henry University where she gradeated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and an M.Ed. She has won three national championships and two reserve nation championships for IHSA and IDA (riding horses) while she was there. She teachers ELA to eigth graders at Sevier Middle School in Greenville and in her spare time likes to ride horses, cook, and fix up things around her house. When she’s not doing those things, she’s watching hockey!

William graduated from Rhodes College and earned his Master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. For the better part of two decades, he worked as a journalist for newspapers in Upstate SC. His comprehensive work on mental illness culminated in the publication of his first book in 2020, “The South Carolina State Hospital: Stories from Bull Street.” From 2019-2022 he worked as an adjunct professor of English at Spartanburg Methodist College. In addition to his journalistic accolades, William is an acclaimed wildlife photographer whose photos of the great white shark have been published by the Smithsonian, Fox News, and USA Today. He enjoys fishing, concerts, sports, and traveling.

Thomas Hilker has been teaching for 11 years and this is my 12th year. He’s taught 5th grade for three years in Georgia. When he moved to South Carolina and he has taught at Oakview for 9 years. He previously 3rd grade for 6 years and now on he’s in his third year in 5th grade. Teaching has always been his passion and beyond the curriculum, he strives to instill resilience, creativity, and the confidence to embrace challenges

Craig Byrne has taught English/Language Arts to students of all ages and grade levels. For nearly ten years, has taught for high schools, colleges, corporations, and the U.S. military. He holds a BA in English from The University of South Carolina and an MA in English Education from The University of South Florida, St. Petersburg.

Collin Baier is from Easley and currently teaches high school math at Easley High School. He graduated from USC Upstate with a Bachelor of Science in Math Education and previously played college rugby. He is passionate about helping students build confidence in math and enjoys finding ways to make learning engaging and approachable. Outside the classroom, he enjoys working out, playing basketball, spending time on the lake with family and friends, cheering on the Clemson Tigers and Cleveland sports teams, building Lego sets, and testing his knowledge of country flags.

Beonka Edwards is thrilled to be a Sylvan tutor! She hold a B.S. in Communication with a minor in Theatre, and brings a diverse background that includes substitute teaching, teaching ESL online, and homeschooling her two daughters. Every student learns differently, so she loves using creative methods to find whatever approach clicks best for them. When she's not tutoring, she enjoys painting, acting, attending musical theater, and spending quality time with her family. She can't wait to help your child grow and succeed!

Zaria, is a South Carolina native and graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She believes a student’s social-emotional well-being plays an important role in academic success. As a tutor, her goal is to strengthen students academically while also nurturing confidence, perseverance, and self-awareness—helping them build a strong foundation to grow both in and beyond the classroom.”

Alex is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Beaufort. While he was there, he received his bachelor's degree in mathematics, and has several years of experience tutoring in math from addition and subtraction all the way to calculus. He likes to spend some of his free time playing boardgames with friends and family, reading books, and solving puzzles.

Anna is originally from Macon, Georgia, and moved to Greenville in 2023. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Georgia. Anna brings three years of classroom experience to the Sylvan team, having taught 3rd grade at Mauldin Elementary. Her passion for education and helping students grow makes her a wonderful addition to the Sylvan family. Outside of the classroom, Anna enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with her family and friends.

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, 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.

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. Give us a call at (864) 349-5265 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