Meet Our Team

Deborah DeJesus

Executive Director/Owner

As Center Director/Owner, Deborah leads the Sylvan centers in Newport News and Williamsburg. She has been with Sylvan for 17 years.

Deborah graduated from Lancaster University with a Master of Education Degree. A former classroom teacher, Deborah chose a career in the tutoring business because she loves the personalized programs and personal attention to each student.

When Deborah isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her enjoying time with her family and dogs. She enjoys hiking, gardening, and theater. Deborah is married to Juan, a U.S. Air Force veteran. They have a daughter who graduated from the University of Virginia and Georgetown and a son who recently graduated from the Air Force​ Academy.

Sarah Hall

Director of Enrollment

Sarah joined the Sylvan team in October 2022. Sarah graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education Integrated Studies: English. She holds additional certification for teaching Middle School students.

At Sylvan, Sarah meets with new families to share assessment results and program recommendation for each child. She monitors student progress and communicates with parents.

When Sarah isn’t at Sylvan, she enjoys baking and cooking, creative crafts, and DIY projects. Sarah is an avid singer in her local church and is particularly fond of Disney songs. She also likes to explore new places and spend time with her family, friends, and puppy Louie.

Lois Winter

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Lois joined the Sylvan team in 2004. She is a graduate of American University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science and later graduated from William and Mary with a Master’s degree in Education.

Lois enjoys teaching Sylvan students because the programs are designed to meet each student’s personal needs. She teaches early literacy, writing, and math.

When Lois isn’t teaching, she enjoys singing in the Virginia Choral Society and giving Yorktown history tours.

Rion Motley

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Rion joined the Sylvan team in November 2025.  At Sylvan, Rion teaches students in upper-level math and science, as well as reading, writing, and study skills. His favorite part of teaching is the light bulb moment when a student “gets” a difficult concept.

Rion graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science. He completed a Career Switcher program at ODU with an endorsement to teach Biology and Physics. He has taught in the public school system (middle and high school levels), as well as providing after-school tutoring.

When Rion isn’t teaching, he enjoys time as a blacksmith, having practiced for over a decade, hand-forging knives, pendants and replacement parts for tractors in his home shop. He has even ventured into glassblowing. He enjoys playing the guitar and has begun learning to play the violin.

Larry Rush

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Larry joined the Sylvan team in June of 2025.

Larry graduated from Wake Forest University with a Master of Science degree in Physics. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.

Larry has tutored students in science, math, and college preparation. At Sylvan, Larry teaches students in math, reading, writing and study skills. His favorite part of teaching is seeing students’ success.

When Larry isn’t teaching he likes following the NBA and NFL; in particular players Lamar Jackson and Stephen Curry. Larry also enjoys solving puzzles.

Darcel Boyer, Ph.D.

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Dr, Darcel Boyer joined the Sylvan team in March 2025. Darcel was awarded her Doctorate in Education Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Darcel brings many years of teaching Special Education students in the Hampton City, Newport News and York County Schools.

At Sylvan, Darcel enjoys teaching students in reading, writing, math and study skills. She is passionate about making an impact on students and loves the look on her student’s face when they learn something new or achieve a goal that they have been working towards.

When Darcel isn’t teaching, she loves traveling, spending time with family, reading with her book club sisters, and spending time outside gardening. Darcel considers teaching and making a positive impact on students her superpower!

Christopher Companion

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Christopher joined the Sylvan team in June 2018. He graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master of Arts (Education and Professional Writing).

Christopher currently teaches high school English in the public-school sector. Christopher enjoys teaching Sylvan students in Reading, Writing, Study Skills and SAT preparation. His favorite thing about teaching is seeing his students grow over time.

When Christopher isn’t teaching, he enjoys reading, strategy games, and spending time with his family.

Katie Beth Jones

Academic Coordinator

Katie Beth joined the Sylvan team in March 2026. She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, attaining a Master’s Degree in Biology.

Katie Beth has tutored undergraduate students, planning lessons and preparing all teaching materials. She has also tutored middle school students in math and science, with homework support and study skills development for confidence building.

At Sylvan, Katie Beth tutors students in reading, writing, math, study skills and homework support. When she isn’t at Sylvan, she spends time furthering her love of biology and ecology by searching for shells & shark teeth at the beach. She also enjoys hanging out with her puppy!

Jill David

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Jill joined the Sylvan team in March 2022. Jill graduated from Walden University with a Master of Science degree.

Jill taught in the public schools for over 20 years, including elementary level and middle school English.  At Sylvan, Jill enjoys teaching reading, writing, study skills and math and being a consistent part of a student’s growth.

When Jill isn’t teaching, she enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her grandchildren.

Jeremy Taylor

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Jeremy joined the Sylvan team in January 2025. Jeremy graduated from the College of William and Mary and currently teaches US History for Hampton City Schools.

At Sylvan, Jeremy teaches students in reading, math, writing and study skills.

When Jeremy isn’t teaching, he enjoys writing and publishing poetry.

Yolanda Cox

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Yolanda joined the Sylvan team in November 2025.

Yolanda graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. Yolanda went on to gain an Elementary Education certificate from Old Dominion University.

Yolanda currently teaches elementary aged students in the Hampton City Schools. At Sylvan, she teaches students in reading, writing and math.

When Yolanda isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, going to the beach, and reading. She also loves history and science.

Anna Dorl

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Anna joined the Sylvan team in June 2025.

Anna graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

Anna currently works as a Special Education Para Educator in the York County School Division. She has also been a substitute teacher for middle and high school students.

At Sylvan Anna teaches students in reading, writing and math. Her favorite thing about Sylvan is helping students understand how they can impact the world and how many doors that reading can open up for them.

When Anna isn’t teaching, she enjoys writing, watching movies, reading, and spending time with her friends and dog. Anna is an accomplished writer and won first place for a community service feature in The Oyster Pointer.

Tayla Edge

Sylvan Lead Teacher

Tayla joined the Sylvan team in January 2025. Tayla graduated from Regent University with a Masters in Education in Instruction and Curriculum.

Tayla has taught in the Newport News and Portsmouth Public Schools. At Sylvan, Tayla teaches students in reading, writing, math and study skills. She enjoys building relationships with the students and watching their progress.

When Tayla isn’t teaching, she enjoys travelling, exploring walking trails with my dog, reading and trying out different restaurants

Kristy McGlaughlin

Director of Education

Kristy joined the Sylvan team in May 2025.

Kristy graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh NC, with a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. She currently teaches in the Hampton City Schools.

At Sylvan, Kristy teaches students in reading, writing and math. She oversees academic programs and monitors each student’s progress.

When Kristy isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her grown children, cooking, traveling, and playing games.

Jenica Franklin-Collier

Sylvan Certified Teacher

Jenica rejoined the Sylvan team in March 2026.

Jenica graduated from Strayer University-Virginia with a Bachelor’s Degree. She currently teaches in the Newport New Public Schools, focusing on reading and math skills development with students.

At Sylvan, Jenica teaches students in reading, writing and math. Her favorite part of teaching is knowing she is making a difference and seeing the smiles on the students’ faces!