Meet Our Team

Mattie Hill

Center Director

Mattie is a Center Director who brings an energetic commitment to supporting kids’ success. In addition to his coursework at the University of Houston, Mattie brings years of experience working with children and families in the world of competitive gymnastics. Mattie finds it enriching to teach children and knows that kids need people who want to help them. While he is naturally gregarious at the center, Mattie also enjoys spending time at home cooking or relaxing with his dogs and family.

Robin Mouser

Director of Education

Robin is an Associate Director of Education at the Sylvan Learning Center of Kingwood. She has a gift for working with kids and helps them to grow in confidence.  While Robin has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in tutoring Reading and Writing.  Robin is a graduate of the University of Houston and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.  In her free time, Robin enjoys reading, writing, and traveling.

Alysha Herrera

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Alysha leads several of the Sylvan Learning Centers in the Houston area. Alysha is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Child Learning and Development. She also holds a teaching certificate in Generalist EC-6. In her free time, Alysha enjoys reading, collecting postcards and playing board games. At Sylvan, Alysha loves helping students find their “wow” moments.

Matthew Gracia

Certified Teacher

Matthew graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. He has been in the tutoring industry for several years and loves it. He enjoys teaching students about topics and subjects he is passionate about, and watching that same passion ignite in them. Matthew is particularly passionate about the field of mathematics. He is a zealous, compassionate, and dependable teacher and the students enjoy working with him. Matthew’s hobbies are drawing, video games, and trying new cuisines.

Ava Howard

Certified Teacher

Ava attended and graduated from Texas Southern University and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading and English. She is a Texas certified teacher for grades K-8. Ava recently retired after years of teaching in the classroom and now enjoys staying busy helping others. Teaching is a love of Ava’s as she really enjoys watching students become successful. She loves volunteering her time, reading, and watching movies in her free time.

Theresa Borden

Certified Teacher

Theresa Borden is a graduate of the University of Houston with over 20 years of experience in Special Education. Theresa is an encouraging and loving educator that always wants to make a positive difference in the world by changing children’s lives. She is most passionate about teaching elementary-aged students how to be strong readers and writers. During her free time, she enjoys reading and hiking.

Pamela Josey

Certified Teacher

Pamela is a graduate of Paul Quinn College where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree and The University of Houston where she earned a Master’s of Education Degree. She also holds teacher certification for the state of Texas. Pamela loves teaching because she really enjoys helping children appreciate learning and she is especially passionate about helping students understand math. Pamela is a flexible and passionate individual who loves reading, completing puzzles, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

Brittany Manger

Certified Mathematics Teacher

Ms. Brittany Manger comes to us with a profound love for helping students learn and strengthen their mathematics understanding. She studied at McNeese University in Lake Charles, LA to complete her degrees in teaching and mathematics. She enjoys teaching general math courses, Algebra (I & II), Geometry, Pre-calculus and Calculus. She also has spent time as a STAAR interventionist. When Ms. Brittany is not our center helping our students grow their love of learning, she spends time outdoors or channels her creative energy into sewing new additions to her wardrobe.

Dr. Cynthia Abram

Certified Teacher

Dr. Cynthia Abram is a graduate of Prairie View University, and she completed her doctorate at Lake Charles University. She pursued a career in education to provide students with lifelong skills and to assist them in mastering difficult skills, the first time. Cynthia is most comfortable with working with students in kindergarten to 6th grade. She is a caring and compassionate educator that enjoys helping others and reassuring all her students.

Abigail Vernier

Certified Teacher

Ms. Abigail attended Lee College and Southwestern University. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Psychology from Southwestern. Abigail loves to teach and encourage students of all ages to learn new and challenging concepts. She is patient, adventurous, and enjoys reading, painting, and traveling in her free time.

Lindsey Arenales

Certified Teacher

Ms. Lindsey has a love of learning and wants to inspire students to love it too. She is a graduate of University of Houston Downtown with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Angelo State University. Her certifications include School Counselor EC -12, classroom EC -6, and English as a Second Language EC-12. Ms. Lindsey has a great sense of humor and enjoys organizing.

Dr. Zuhair Khan

Certified Mathematics Teacher

Dr. Khan brings years of experience in physical and material sciences, university-level research, and instruction to our center and our students. After completing multiple degrees in the field of mathematics, physical and materials sciences, including a Ph.D. from Kyoto University, Dr. Khan relies on his deep breadth of knowledge to support his passion for nurturing learners of all ages. When Dr. Khan is not encouraging students to find a love of mathematics and science, he enjoys spending time with his family and watching movies.

Paul Perez-Rodriguez

Certified Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Paul contributes his great love of education and his focus on student wellbeing to our Sylvan community. He completed his degree in mathematics from Texas A & M, Corpus Christi and later completed his master’s degree in counseling. Mr. Paul’s own personal childhood education shaped and inspired his career path. He hopes to ensure that every student he encounters has the opportunity to access the unconditional support and mentorship that he often lacked. When Mr. Paul is not in center offering candid, patient, and realistic instruction, he enjoys the outdoors, watching movies, and travel. If your student needs help supporting their algebra, geometry, or statistics comprehension, we have just the tutor for you!

Kelly Webb

Certified Teacher

“I just love helping children achieve their academic goals!” This passion for helping kids struggling with reading and writing is evident when you work with Ms. Kelly. She started her career in Oklahoma where she earned her degree in early childhood education. She has worked in the public school system and in homeschooling cooperatives where her warm and encouraging teaching style helped inspire and encourage students in diverse educational settings. When Ms. Kelly is not here with our students, she is active in her church and enjoys crafting.

Ryan Salinas

Certified Mathematics Teacher

“I have a genuine passion for teaching and learning mathematics. There is something special about giving students that “a-ha” moment!” – Mr. Ryan
Mr. Ryan is one of our Upper-Level Math tutors here at Sylvan Learning, Kingwood. He graduated from the University of Houston with double majors in mathematics and philosophy. Mr. Ryan’s teaching style relies on open, effective communication to help build his students’ trust and confidence. He wants his students to know they can count on him to take the extra effort to listen, check for understanding, and incorporate additional support when needed. Mr. Ryan likes to create art and study advanced mathematics when he isn’t here helping kiddos find their “a-ha” moments.

Wendy Wheeler

Certified Teacher

Ms. Wendy graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Central Oklahoma before moving to the Houston area. Wendy was inspired to teach by one of her childhood instructors, and hopes to make meaningful connections with her own students at Sylvan. She currently holds certifications in the state of Texas for the instruction of EC- 4, Sped EC- 12, and 4- 8 core subject materials. She is an organized and reliable teacher who enjoys baking, reading, and exploring the outdoors outside school.

Anna Bibens

Certified Teacher

Anna is a tutor here at Sylvan Learning of Atascocita with a passion for teaching young minds! While Anna has many tutoring talents, she loves teaching Reading, Math, and STAAR Prep. Mary is a graduate from Sam Houston State University! In her free time, Anna enjoys reading, writing, and cooking! Anna describes herself as caring, passionate, and fun.

Ryan Hillis

Certified Mathematics Teacher

Ryan is an enthusiastic tutor who is passionate about relating to students as he shares his joy for mathematics. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is currently teaching CTE and robotics programs for high schoolers. Ryan has an analytical mind while always being authentic and patient with his students. In his free time, Ryan enjoys anime, basketball and football.

Myrna Velez

Certified Teacher

Myrna Velez is a tutor here at Sylvan of Atascocita. She is a graduate of University of St. Thomas with her master’s degree in education. Myrna wanted to be a teacher because she saw the need for our students needing so many things, and she could be the one that does help our students learn and grow. Myrna has worked with students of all ages but enjoys working directly with students in reading and writing. In her free time, Myna enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Shalana Dodson

Certified Teacher

Shalana Dodson is a tutor at Sylvan Learning of Kingwood with a love of teaching all things Writing and English! While Shalana has a passion for English, she also is interested in cultural studies and music. Shalana has a Bachelor’s of Art in English and a Master’s in Adult Education from the University of Phoenix.

Angela Diaz

Certified Teacher

Ms. Angela Diaz lends her love of teaching children how to excel in math and reading to our tutoring team here in Kingwood! Ms. Angela attended Texas State University where she graduated with certifications to teach elementary reading, math, and writing. Tutoring at Sylvan allows Ms. Angela to do what she does best – help students understand new, tough concepts and watch for those “lightbulb” moments. When she is not reaping the personal rewards of helping her students to progress, she enjoys working out and travelling. Ms. Angela prides herself on her ability to remain patient and positive as she and her students navigate new ideas.