Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Rowlett consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Rowlett know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school.
Get to know our tutors and staff in Rowlett!
Sydney Jackson
Instructor
Director
Sydney Jackson is the Center Director of Sylvan Learning Center of Rowlett. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Special Education, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. With over 10 years in the field, Sydney brings deep expertise in supporting students with learning differences. Before joining Sylvan, she spent five years as a special education teacher and seven years as a special education instructional coach. She is especially skilled in curriculum design and accommodations, and she’s passionate about making learning accessible for every child. When she’s not at Sylvan, you can find Sydney at home with her favorite co-workers—her ten cats—who keep her company while she relaxes with a good movie.
Bambi
Instructor
Bambi is one of our elementary Math and Reading teachers here at Sylvan of Rowlett. She has taught for 6 years in elementary public, 3 years in private, as well as 22 years homeschooling her own children. She loves southern home cooking and the color pink. When she is not at Sylvan, she loves to spend time with her family and visiting Disney World!
Her Motto: Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try, so don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try!
Kaci
Instructor
My name is Kaci Smith. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Texas A&M University at Commerce, currently obtaining and will graduate with my Master’s in Education Administration through Grand Canyon University in January, 2026. I have been a teacher for 24 years with experience in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, special education, gifted and talented, and dyslexia. My current focus is teaching reading strategies in MTA Dyslexia small groups. Supporting and encouraging students to be the best version of themselves in their social-emotional and academic growth is a responsibility that I am passionate about.
DJ
Instructor
DJ is our Mathematics instructor here at Sylvan of Rowlett. She was a math tutor for 10 years before teaching in the middle school math classroom. She is obsessed with math and loves popcorn. When she is not at Sylvan, she likes to solve logic puzzles, read sci-fi fantasy, and play games with her family.
Her Motto: We become so that others can become.
Kevin Janak
Instructor
My name is Kevin Janak. I have academic degrees in Science, Math, and English. I also have over 10 years of experience with teaching students in the classroom as well as tutoring and mentoring individual students in Science, Math, and English. Additionally, I have over 5 years of experience teaching test preparation for the SAT/ACT, TSIA, GED, and STAAR. I enjoy working with students of all ages and backgrounds. I also enjoy working with technology, and I encourage my students to use it for their benefit with their future careers. My hobbies include sports and outdoors. I like to have fun playing music with my guitar and piano, too.
Joshua Carrier
Instructor
My name is, Joshua , and I have been teaching high school English for 18 years. I have been working at Sylvan now for over 5 years. I have a strong background in SAT reading strategies and enjoy tutoring students to help them achieve their desired score and fulfill their post secondary aspirations. In my free time I enjoy singing karaoke and spending time with my wife and my two children.
Sian White
Instructor
My name is Sian White. I hold a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Texas A&M University at Commerce and a Bachelor’s from Jarvis Christian College. I have been an educator for 27 years. With a passion for literacy and student growth, I currently teach 7th and 8th grade reading. I believe in meeting students where they are and helping them discover the power of their own voices through reading and writing. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading for pleasure, exploring new places through travel and hanging out with my 12 year old son and 17 year old daughter!
Stephanie Waites
Instructor
I’m Stephanie. I have a Secondary Reading Certification and a Master Reading Certification and dedicated 31 years to inspiring young minds in the public school classroom before retiring in 2024. I enjoy reading mystery and suspense novels, running 5K’s in the DFW area and traveling with my family!
Heather Ruggiero
Instructor
I’m Heather. I have a Master’s Degree in Montessori Education from Xavier University and am enthusiastic about hands-on learning and other strategies to engage students. My experience includes leading classes for all ages in a number of settings, including public and private schools, tutoring, and homeschool programs, and in a variety of subjects, as well as music and movement. I also like to explore outdoors, find new places to run, and spend time with my husband and our five young-adult children and pets. I previously taught for Sylvan in another state and am excited to join the team in Rowlett
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (972) 372-0587 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
