Contact Information

New Students: (888) EDUCATE
Current Families: (410) 740-8331
Fax: (410) 740-4654
Monday: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Meet the Tutors

Our Sylvan trained and certified tutors are dedicated to your child’s success. Working together with you, we will:

  • Pinpoint your child’s learning needs using the Sylvan Skills Assessment®
  • Develop a personalized learning plan based on your child’s goals
  • Offer unique insights about what will work for your child
  • Teach each lesson the way your child learns best
  • Build a relationship with your child to provide learning that’s fun, engaging and rewarding
Put years of educational experience to work for your family. Contact our center to find out how we can help today!

Christi Dodson

Center Director

Christi comes to us from Dayton, Ohio with an extensive background in education, nonprofit management, and sales. Christi has an undergraduate degree from Miami University in Speech Communications and a Masters Degree from the University of Dayton. Christi started with Sylvan in January 2011. Welcome!

Kimberly Hawkins

Director of Education

Kimberly is our Director of Education. She is also an American Sign Language Interpreter and teaches Deaf Hard Hearing children in our center. She has degrees in French Literature, and Child Psychology as well as a Master's Degree in Secondary Education. Kimberly is fluent in several languages and enjoys traveling.

Program Manager, Ellicott City tutoring

Casey Blackston

Program Manager

Casey comes to Sylvan with a BS in Business Management and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management. She has a passion for children and education. As a Program Manager, Casey works with Instructors and families to ensure a positive Sylvan experience. Casey has two boys, Tyler and Blaiz and enjoys the beach, reading and working out.

Mindi Becker

Instructor

Mindi is a Penn State University graduate with a BA Degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education. She has a Master's Degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. She currently teaches 5th grade at Chadwick Elementary. She has taught 4th and 5th grades in Charles County and has also been a Reading Resource teacher.

Ryan Carey

Instructor and Instructor Assistant

Ryan is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a B.S. in Physics. Ryan loves cooking and it is a dream of his to open a famous restaurant. He enjoys working with children, and has tutored at the college level in math, chemistry, and physics. At Sylvan he teaches math, science, and SAT. Ryan got a perfect score on the math section of the SAT!

Instructor Assistant, Ellicott City tutoring

Zana Cranmer

Instructor Assistant

Zana went to Penn State and received her Bachelor of Science in Material Science & Engineering. She worked for Sylvan after she graduated and then entered the Peace Corps. She was in South Africa in their Education program for 2 years. She worked specifically on math and science children's camps and adult technology education. Starting in the fall, Zana will be working on her Masters Degree of Arts and Science in Engineering and Public Policy.

Instructor Assistant, Ellicott City tutoring

Indria Tennessee

Instructor Assistant

Indria is a college student at UMBC majoring in mathematics and education. She will complete her degrees in 2013. She joined the Sylvan Team in April of 2011. Look at the billboards when you come in the Columbia Center and you will see Indria's creativity at work!

Cynthia Breault

Instructor

Cynthia has taught at Sylvan for over two years. She received her BS in Math from North Carolina State University. She also teaches Algebra at Howard Community College. Cynthia is very artistic and enjoys sculpting and crocheting in her spare time.

Angie Como

Instructor

Angie graduated from California University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Spanish. Her graduate degree was from Johns Hopkins University with a Master's Degree in Administration/Supervision and Teacher Leadership. She has taught grades 2-6. She is currently teaching at Brock Bridge Elementary School.

Lorisa Wiedenheft

Instructor

Lorisa graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. She taught for two years in Special Education-Life Skills, grades 3-7. Then she was a Program Manager for nearly two years at a group home called L'Arche BRM. She moved to Columbia MD November 2010 and got married in December. Now, she is nearly finished with her Master's Degree as a Reading Specialist and is a substitute teacher for Howard County Schools.

Lauren Altman

Instructor

Lauren recently graduated from Stevenson University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Middle School Math & Science. Lauren is excited to join the Sylvan team!

Instructor, Ellicott City tutoring

Ruth Harris

Instructor

Ms. Ruth graduated from Cheyney State College in 1960 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Presently, she substitute teaches for grade 1-8 in Baltimore City Public Schools.

Marcelino Bedolla

Instructor

Marcelino graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1963 with a major in Physics. He completed graduate work in Education at Johns Hopkins University and Loyola College in Space Science and School Administration. He retired from the DEA after 25 years and then taught physics and chemistry in the Baltimore City public school system. He is interested in astronomy and enjoys looking through his telescope. In his free time, Mr. Marcelino also enjoys reading and hiking.