Our Staff
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.
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
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."
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Brenda Dunlap
Instructor
information coming soon!
Wendy Stechschulte
Instructor
information coming soon!
Alison Lawrence
Instructor
information coming soon!
Polly Rodgers
Instructor
information coming soon!
