Victoria T. Nielsen

Center Director

Education: I am a graduate of Bowling Green State University where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Telecommunications and a Minor in Marketing. After Bowling Green, I attended Tiffin University and obtained a Masters in Business.

Recent Work History: I worked for a large marketing firm in Findlay Ohio from 2008 to 2011 and was a substitute teacher for Findlay City schools until June 2011.

Hobbies: I enjoy golfing, playing the flute for the Findlay Community Concert Band and working on computers once in a while.

Why I work for Sylvan: I work for Sylvan because I believe in everything they represent. My passion is in helping children achieve their academic goals and by working here I can do that. It is extremely rewarding.

Caren Beckett

Executive Director

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 and her husband, Craig, are involved in the daily operations of the 5 Sylvan centers they own: Bowling Green, Defiance, Findlay, Lima, and Toledo. 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."
Caren and her husband Craig live in Ottawa and have two daughters, Marissa and Samantha.

Craig Beckett

Executive Director

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 5 Sylvan centers they own: Bowling Green, Defiance, Findlay, Lima, and Toledo.

Stacey Freytag

Director of Education

Stacey has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Bluffton University. Stacey was a long term sub in 2010-2011. She is married to Brandon Freytag, has a one year old puppy named "Marley" and her hobbies include running, skiing, being "crafty" and reading. Stacey loves working at Sylvan because she gets the chance to inspire children to become excited about learning.

Emily Karhoff

Lead Instructor

Michele Fisher

Instructor

Michele graduated from Bluffton College with a BA in Education in 1998. Her dual subject areas were Special Education K-12 and Elementary Education 1-8. Mrs. Michele has eight years of experience teaching in the classroom and one and half years of experience teaching at Sylvan.

When she is not teaching, Mrs. Michele stays at home with her two girls. Her interests include gardening and scrap booking. She also enjoys singing, teaching Sunday School, and helping cook dinners, as needed, in her church.

Deb Mihalik

Instructor

Deborah Mihalik has been a member of the Sylvan Staff for over twelve years. During that time she has trained in many areas of the Sylvan Program.

Deborah received her BS in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University in 1973 and her Masters in Reading in 1980 from Bowling Green State University. She has done post-graduate work at the University of Findlay and attends Professional Development Workshops. She has been teaching for over 36 years and is presently a second grade teacher at Liberty Benton School.

Professionally, Deborah is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and active in Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority which honors key women teachers. Mrs. Mihalik is listed in Who's Who of American Teachers and is a Jennings Scholar. She is also a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church and is active in the the Post Baptism Ministry Team Society and the Relay for Life. She is also a supporter of Hope House. Deborah is also active in the Mazza Enthusiasts at the University of Findlay. She recently was nominated for Teacher of the Year in Ohio.

Deborah is married to Joseph Mihalik and they have two sons, a grandson and granddaughter. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, reading, traveling, going to sporting events and doing things with her friends. She also enjoys teaching at Sylvan!

Sharon Neisler

Instructor

Cathy Shurtleff

Instructor

Cathy received her Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University. In addition to her college degree, Cathy spent three years serving in the United States Army stationed in Korea and Kansas. She has been with the Sylvan staff since August 2009. Prior to her starting at Sylvan she worked for the Toledo Preparatory Academy as the sole Mathematics teacher. When not at Sylvan, Cathy likes to spend her free time volunteering for the Salvation Army, where she is a leader in the “Kids Klub” program.

Sue Van Sant

Instructor

Sue has a Bachelor of Science, Education degree from Bowling Green State University and a Masters of Science,Curriculum and Instruction degree from Ashland University. She has 45 post graduate hours in Curriculum and Instruction from Bowling Green State University.
Sue has taught preschool through middle school in public education and
first through twelfth through Sylvan Learning.
She has received awards during her career for outstanding teaching. They
include Teacher of the Year for levels
three and four and Child Care with Love,
(an early childhood development award).
A project she created for her local
school district through an AEP scholarship in Radford, Virginia was featured in a national AEP newletter.

Andrew Blankemeyer

Instructor

Andrew earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathmatics from Bluffton University. Since then he has been working on Master classes at BGSU. He has taught one year of Algebra in India, 3 years short and long term subbing and taught Algebra 1 part time at LCC.