Meet Our Team

Carol W. Pope

Center Director

As Center Director, Carol leads the business, marketing, and school partnerships for Sylvan of Longview. A former high school counselor, Carol chose a career in the tutoring business because she has a desire to work with families and students in a more intimate setting to help students gain confidence, overcome their struggles, and excel academically. She studied at Baylor University and received her BA in Education.  She continued her education at Amberton University and received a Masters in School Counseling and a Masters in Professional Counseling. When Carol isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her 3 children and family, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling with friends. .

Marla Sullivan

Director of Education

Marla oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors in Longview, TX . A former teacher and administrator in Copperas Cove ISD, Marla brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan of Longview.  She retired in January 2020 after 30 years as both teacher and administrator. She and her husband moved to Hallsville where she was an active substitute teacher from 2020 until November 2025. Marla also joined the Sylvan team as a tutor in 2020, and transitioned into the Director of Education role in November of 2025.  She graduated from Kilgore Jr. College, Baylor University, the University of Texas at Austin, and received her principal’s certification from Tarleton Central Texas. When Marla isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys spending time with her three grandkids as well as cooking with her husband, listening to music, reading, and playing with her two boxers and her tuxedo kitty.

Beverly Hanon

Tutor

Beverly has been a tutor in Longview, TX  for four years. She has a passion for working with children, and she loves celebrating their growth! She joined Sylvan with 28 years’ teaching experience. Beverly graduated from Wylie College with a BS degree and has a Masters in Elementary Education from Prairie View A&M University. When Beverly isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys a Reading Club, Sassy Readers, as well as the AKA Sorority.

Lisa Rose

Tutor

Lisa is a retired teacher who brings 20 plus years’ experience to Sylvan in Longview.  While Lisa has many tutoring talents and tutors both math and reading, she finds the greatest joy in Math tutoring and GED preparation. She studied at Texas A&M at Commerce  (PE, health, and secondary education) and UT Tyler (elementary education). When Lisa isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her making jewelry and decorating cakes! She has one Morkie, Bella, and 4 grandchildren.

Brenda Motley

Lead Teacher / Tutor

Brenda is one of our two lead teachers as well as a tutor in Longview, TX. While Brenda has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in beginning reading and academic reading tutoring. She has been part of the Sylvan team for 10 years!  Brenda studied at SFASU with a BS in Education and minor in reading and holds a MA in General Education. Prior to joining the Sylvan team, Brenda taught in Pittsburg,  Marshall, and Hallsville ISD.  When Brenda isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, playing ping pong, and laughing with friends and family.

Liz Spering

Tutor

Liz is a teacher at Oak Forest Montessori in Longview, where she teaches 3 to 6 year olds. While Liz has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math, science, homework support, and ACT/SAT tutoring. Liz has been teaching and has been at Sylvan for almost 20 years! A graduate of TCU, Liz enjoys reading, crafting, golfing and board games. Liz currently has 3 cats, and says she really needs to stop finding cats around Longview!!

Barbara Winn

Tutor

Barbara is a retired teacher who currently substitutes in New Diana and Ore City. She brings a whopping 50 plus years’ experience to Sylvan in Longview! Barbara has been part of the Sylvan team for over 20 years and loves sharing her passion for math with our students. She studied at Kilgore College, ETSU, and Stephen F. Austin University.  When she’s not at Sylvan, Barbara enjoys playing card games, singing, reading Christian romance novels, traveling with family & friends, and watching her grandkids compete in sports. Barbara has a black lab named Maizy and 11 grandchildren.

Ron Gracy

Mount Pleasant Tutor

Ron is a retired teacher from Garland, Texas. While Ron has many tutoring talents, he finds greatest joy in reading tutoring.  He studied at A&M Commerce.  When Ron is not at Sylvan, you’ll find him playing golf.

Linda Gracy

Mount Pleasant Tutor

Linda is a retired Elementary teacher in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. While Linda has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas (now known as Texas A&M Commerce). When Linda isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her working in the garden or reading.

Annette Dukes

Lead Teacher / Tutor

Annette is one of our two lead teachers as well as a reading tutor in Longview, TX.  She studied at Kilgore College and UT-Tyler.  She has a degree in Life and Earth Science and Kinesiology. Annette brings 34 years’ teaching and coaching experience to Sylvan. She’s been part of our team for 8 years. When Annette isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with family, going fishing, and spending time at church.  She and her husband, Rory Dukes,  have 6 children and 6 grandchildren.

Trenia Baldridge

Tutor

Trenia has been a reading tutor at Sylvan in Longview for almost 10 years.  She brings 34 years’ teaching experience to our team, and her passion is teaching our youngest learners to read!  She  studied at ETSU, now Texas A&M Commerce, and has a degree in Elementary Education. When Trenia isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her  playing with her grandchildren and going out to eat with friends.  She has 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

Sherry Morton

Tutor

Sherry is one of our newer math tutors at Sylvan in Longview. She currently works at ETBU in Marshall where she oversees student teachers. Sherry attended University of Phoenix (Ed. D), Austin Peay State University (MA ED), and Murray State University (BS) and brings 42 years’ teaching experience from across 3 states to our team. When Sherry isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys sports, crocheting, and math. Sherry has been married for 31 years had has a 26 year old son. She also has 3 dogs who bring joy to their home.

Jackie Farmer

Tutor

Jackie is a retired Speech-Language Pathologist who brings 45 years’ experience to our Sylvan team. A graduate of Baylor University and Stephen F. Austin University, Jackie has been part of the Longview team for 3 years. Outside of Sylvan, Jackie enjoys crafting, singing in choir, and traveling. She is an active member in her church as well as in Alpha Delta Kappa and Texas Retired Teachers. Jackie has a beautiful granddaughter, Eirinn Sophia,  and a loveable mutt named Bandit. One of the most unique things about Jackie is that she grew up in a military family. Jackie has lived all over the United States and graduated from an American High School in Nurnberg, Germany.

Lisa Trimble

Tutor

Lisa is a retired elementary teacher and school librarian, and she is our newest team member in Longview. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin and Texas A&M Commerce, Lisa brings 38 years’ experience to the Sylvan family! Outside of Sylvan, Lisa loves traveling, musical theater, concerts, and antiquing. Lisa’s passion is helping kids learn to read and LOVE to read!!

Makenzie Motley

Intern

Makenzie is one of our FABULOUS interns! She is a senior at Longview High School and will graduate in May with her aide certification. Makenzie will attend UT Tyler in the fall of 2026 and plans to follow her passion for working with children and pursue a career in education. She is the president of the Longview High School Choir and has been part of the Sylvan family for 3 years.

Makayla Myles

Intern

Makayla is our newest, but equally FABULOUS intern! She is a senior at Longview High School and plans to attend the University of North Texas in the fall of 2026 as a music performance major. Makayla has been part of our Sylvan family for four months and has quickly jumped in to her new role. She loves singing in the choir, and she is the oldest (and only girl) of four children!

Carla Shahan

Tutor

Carla has been a reading tutor at Sylvan of Longview for 3 years. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin University, Carla brings 29 years’ teaching experience to our team. Outside of Sylvan, Carla enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and traveling. She has two fur babies, a yorkie and a maltese, and she also has a niece and nephew.

Justus Morales

Tutor

Justus joined the Sylvan team as a math tutor one year ago. He has been teaching for eight and one half years, and he currently teaches 11th and 12th grade Pre-Calculus at Longview HS. Justus attended Le Tourneau University and enjoys bird watching, video games, anime, and reading. He also has a Tortoise Shell cat named Molly.

Cissy Covnet

Tutor

Cissy has been a valued Sylvan team member for 3 years. A graduate of Texas Tech (B.S. Degree) and Stephen F. Austin (M.S. Degree), Cissy brings 30 years’ teaching experience to our students! At Sylvan, Cissy tutors grades 1-10 in reading and grades K-6 in math. Additionally, she facilitates our language arts ACT and SAT prep and works with GED prep students. Outside of Sylvan, Cissy enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Cissy loves watching students gain and grow in their skills and confidence. She takes pride in developing meaningful relationships with all her students.