Dennis Cole

Executive Director

Kristie Polk

Ace It! Tutoring Program Director

Kristie brings both business experience from owning her own franchised business and education experience from teaching her own children. Kristie manages the after school programs we bring to schools. Last year we tutored over 800 students on site at (15) schools.

Diane Henson

Center Director

Diane brings many years of management experience including 6 as a business owner to our center. Diane has a passion for seeing children succeed that you will feel when you talk to her. Diane handles all day to day operations for us.

Lisa Webster

Lead Teacher

Lisa is our Lead Teacher and has been with the center since we opened in 2002. Lisa earned her B.S. in Elementary Education in 1999, her AIG Certification in 2005, her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2006 and, became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2008. She is currently attending North Central University for her Doctorate in Education for gifted Children. She has been teaching in Vance County for 11 years and is currently the AIG specialist at Zeb Vance Elementary School. Her favorite thing about working at Sylvan is watching the smiles on children’s faces when they realize they understand.

Jennifer Wade

Teacher

In 2002, Jennifer graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio with a B.A. in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Humanities. Jennifer has been teaching for 7 years and is currently teaching second graders at Aycock Elementary in Henderson. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing the "aha" moment in a child's eyes. She enjoys the caring family atmosphere between the staff & students at Sylvan!

Francine Glover

Teacher

Francine received her B.A. degree and Reading Certification from A & T University and Shaw University. She is retired after teaching for 45 years in Vance County. She gets great joy out of seeing children grow and try hard to work on their potential and strive to accomplish their goals. She likes Sylvan because there is no limit to what a student can accomplish using individual teaching, regular feedback to students and parents, and the reward system. She also enjoys working with dedicated teachers who enjoy what they do.

Jo Ragland

Teacher

After graduating from Pamlico High School in 1973, Jo went on to St. Augustine’s college in Raleigh, North Carolina, where, in 1977, she received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Continuing her education at North Carolina Central University and Shaw University, she earned her Master in Special Education (1982) and Master of Divinity in Divinity of Theology (2002), respectively. Currently retired after teaching 31 years – 28 in Vance County, 2 in Wake County, and 1 in Pamlico County – she substitutes for county schools, as they need her in Pre-K and K – 5. Jo’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing a child make progress – it’s a joy that is worth more than money. She is here with us at Sylvan because she enjoys taking each child through his or her personalized plan from a state of struggle on into success.

Larry Elman

Teacher

Larry Elman comes to Sylvan well qualified to sit with our higher-level math students. Before retiring from the USAF as a Colonel, he taught full time for 3 years, teaching both missiles and space flight at the post-graduate level, as well as 7 years on assorted college faculties teaching computers and several other related subjects. Larry has taught Adult Education and evening classes for high school students for 20 years.

He holds degrees in Aeronautical and Space Flight Engineering from MIT, Engineering of Flight Vehicles and Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Oklahoma, is in the Doctoral Program at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, a diploma in International Relations from Defense Systems Management College, with additional degrees in scientific areas from Air War College, National War University, and National War College.

When not fiddling around in advanced math, he writes articles and lectures on modern history. Larry’s favorite thing about teaching is when a student finally lights up with understanding enough to motivate him or her. His favorite thing about Sylvan is the he gets to see that light a lot!

Carl Ayscue

Teacher

Carl earned his B.S. in math and science from Atlantic Christian College. After teaching 25 years in Johnson, Green, and Warren Counties he has retired to his farm in Littleton, North Carolina. Carl’s favorite part of teaching was the interaction he had with his students. At Sylvan he is able to interact even more because of the small teacher/student ratio. Giving kids the help they need is what makes him keep teaching even after all these years.

Jim Hackbarth

Teacher

Originally from Connecticut, James has been teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grades in North Carolina for 12 years. He has an MS in Elementary Education and a BS in Mental Health and Human Services. He is new to Sylvan and loves working with the students and staff. His hope is to bring his teaching skills and creativeness to the program to aid in the success of children. In addition to teaching, James also mentors at-risk youth. He loves nature and hiking in the woods for different kinds of flora or fauna. James is also very active in his church and various civic organizations. In July, he plans to marry his love of five years, Amanda. James and Amanda both love animals and share that love with cats and the cichlids they raise.