Our Staff

Center Director, Lima tutoring

Pam J Fried

Center Director

Pam graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.S. in education (K-12) . She had the opportunity to teach for four area schools before joining Sylvan and before that taught a parent education course when living in Florida. Our specially designed programs pinpoint deficient study areas. She has four children, Nathan, Tara, Jordan and Heidi. Her husband Vince is a professor at Rhodes State College and also instructs here at Sylvan.

Director of Education, Lima tutoring

Adriene Swyers

Director of Education

Education: Graduated from Bowling Green State University Cum Laude with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Reading Endorsement

Personal: My husband Sean and I have a 3 year old son named Jakob. We reside in Kalida, Ohio.

Why I Love Being a Part of Sylvan: It is a great place to help students experience that learning feels good! We have a great family of staff whom truly cares about each and every student that walks through the door!

Favorite Author: Mitch Albom

Owner, Lima tutoring

Caren Beckett

Owner

Caren is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with her B.S. in Elementary Education. Caren has worked with Sylvan in many different capacities since 1996. Prior to opening the Bowling Green Center in 2001, she worked in Columbus area centers as a teacher and Director. Caren comments, "Sylvan offers programs that help students feel successful again. The excitement shown by students when they see their school grades improve is not only rewarding as a Director, but also as an educator."

Owner, Lima tutoring

Craig Beckett

Owner

Craig is a graduate of the University of Toledo and has an MBA from the University of Findlay. He joined Sylvan in April 2006, and prior to that worked as an engineer. Craig and his wife (Caren) are involved in the daily operations of the 3 Sylvan centers they own: Bowling Green, Defiance, and Lima.

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Avel Schmenk

Instructor

Avel is a 1970 Graduate of University of Nevada @ Reno. She taught grades 4-8 in different places at different times. Nevada 6-8 Reading, Social Studies, New Mexico 5-6 combined time self contained, Arizona 4th self contained, 6-8 English, Social Studies
Reading lab with individualized instruction.

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Teresa Richards

Instructor

Education: The Ohio State University with certifications in grades K-8

Family: Married with a 15 year old daughter Kelsie, and 10 year old son Jacob

Teaching Experience: Taught 2nd grade for 5 years, substitute teaching, previous Sylvan teacher

Favorite Book: The one she is currently writing!

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Janet Cobb

Instructor

Education: Masters of Education from The Ohio State University

License grades K-8 in all subjects

Family: 4 daugthers, Katrina, Amanda, Marisa and Rebecca

Teaching Experience: Lima City Schools from 1999 to present. Taught grades K-5, except 1st.

Something Interesting: love to travel!

Favorite Book and Authors: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Eric Carle and Jan Brett

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Vince Fried

Instructor

Vince has his masters in business administration, bachelors in theology, bachelors in biochemistry, associate degree in x-ray technology and is a professor at Rhodes State College. He loves teaching advanced math, chemistry/physics - anything science, and enjoys teaching the ACT prep course.

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Julie Burris

Instructor

Education: Masters in Education from the Ohio State University. Certified to teach grades K-8.

Family: Husband Chris, 5 year old son Zach, 1 year old daughter Sydney

Teaching Experience: Current 3rd grade teacher at Independence Elementary, taught multi-age (grades 2-3) for 4 years

Something Interesting: running 1/2 marathon in May!

Favorite book: A Time to Kill

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Courtney Ojakovo

Instructor

Education: B.A. from Rutgers University, Masters of Education from Temple University

Licensure: PreK-3 in Ohio, other areas in outside states

Teaching Experience: full time 1st grade and 5th grade teacher

Family: Married with a baby on the way! Extended family is in New Jersey

Favorite Book: A View From Saturday

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Michelle Ellerbrock

Instructor

Education: Masters degree in Education from The Ohio State University with certifications in PreK - 3.

Family: Parents Roger and Marilyn, 2 younger sisters, Dana and Jenna

Teaching Experience: Substitute in Allen, Putnam and Van Wert counties, long term substitute in 1st grade

Favorite Book: Ain't Gonna Paint No More

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Mindy Markward

Instructor

Education: Masters in education from The Ohio State University with certifications in PreK-3

Family: Parents Ken and Carol, Siblings Jason and Julie, Dog Riley, Fiance Travis

Teaching Experience: Substitute teacher in all grades K-12 in Putnam and Allen Counties

Something Interesting: Played the clarinet for 7 years and the piano for 3 years

Favorite Books: The Junie B. Jones series

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Jessica Hoehn

Instructor

Education: Bluffton University with a degree in Early Childhood Education

Family: Husband Brandon, two dogs Tipsy and Lucy

Teaching Experience: taught in Chicago, Illinois, and now sub full time in the area

Something Interesting: love flip flops and love reading Hallmark cards

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Abbie Unverferth

Instructor

Education: B.S. Degree in Education from BGSU in Middle Childhood Education with concentrations in Math and Science

Family: oldest sibling with 2 younger brothers

Teaching Experience: 2 1/2 years at BGSU Math and Stats tutoring center, student taught at Ottoville Elementary, Current substitute in Ottawa Glandorf and Ft. Jennings School Districts

Favorite Book: Jemima J

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Brenda Dunlap

Instructor

information coming soon!

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Wendy Stechschulte

Instructor

information coming soon!

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Alison Lawrence

Instructor

information coming soon!

Instructor, Lima tutoring

Polly Rodgers

Instructor

information coming soon!

Lima

Spring into Success!

We can help turn this school year into a big success, but don't wait!

Get started today and save $75 on your child's Sylvan Skills Assessment®!
2357 Elida Road
Lima, Ohio 45805

Phone

(419) 331-7323
(Call for more information)

Fax: (419) 331-7882

E-mail

slc1440@wcoil.com
(E-mail for more information)
slc1440@wcoil.com
(E-mail this local center)
educationsylvan@wcoil.com
(E-mail for employment information)

Hours

Mon 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tues 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wed 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thurs 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools