Cindy Grammer Essex

Center Director

Cindy is the Center Director in Champaign and also serves as the Executive Director to our Decatur and Springfield centers. She joined Sylvan in March 2011. Cindy comes to us via Indianapolis, but is a hometown girl returning to Mahomet - a true BULLDOG at heart!

Cindy has both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Education and is a Sylvan Certified Center Director. She brings to the table, not only teaching experience, but a business background that will help drive our sales and marketing efforts across I72.

Nyssa Chiavacci

Education Director

Nyssa has been with Sylvan as a Director of Education for two years prior to her move to Illinois. She is excited to be part of the Champaign Sylvan family. She believes that you get the best efforts from others not by lighting a fire beneath them, but by building a fire within. ~ Bob Nelson

Nyssa has a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and a Master's Degree in Science Education from The Pennsylvania State University. She enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her husband, Scott.

Ben Mathews

Instructor

Brittni Ballard

Instructor and Test Administrator

Brittni is working towards her Sylvan Certifications in Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Academic Writing and Study Skills. She also takes on the challenge of helping our upper level students with SAT/ACT prep and Advanced Reading Skills.

After graduating from Purdue University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education, Brittni relocated to Champaign-Urbana with her furry family of pug-beagle hybrids, Rupert and Chloe, and hedgehog Miko. She joined Sylvan in October later that year.

In addition to education, Brittni’s passions include literature – especially mysteries and young adult novels – video games and anime. Her favorite thing about Sylvan is sharing these passions with students and learning all the while.

Brian Ray

Instructor

Brian is Sylvan Certified to teach Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, and Geometry. Brian also takes on the challenge of helping our upper level homework support students.

Brian graduated from the US Military Academy with a Bachelor's in Mathematics. He has been with Sylvan since 2008. In his free time, he enjoys working out math problems.

Brian's favorite thing about Sylvan is the students.

Christina Smith

Instructor and Lead Teacher

Christina is Sylvan Certified to teach Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Academic Writing, Beginning Reading, and Study Skills.

Christina graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelors in Education. She went on for her Masters in Student Personnel from Eastern Illinois University. Christina has been with Sylvan since 2008.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching TV and playing with her cat, Tigger. Christina's favorite thing about Sylvan is the students.

Christine Williams

Instructor and Lead Teacher

Christine is working towards her Sylvan Certifications to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, and Study Skills.

Christine graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in English Education and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois. She has taught English and Language Arts to Junior High, High School and community college students. She has been with Sylvan since 2002. In 2006, Christine left Sylvan to pursue a degree in Education Administration and a career as an administrator in a local high school. She has returned to Sylvan in 2011. She enjoys seeing the faces of the students at Sylvan light up when they understand a concept. One of Christine's favorite quotes is: "Live, learn, and leave a legacy." She hopes that all students will live life to the fullest, learn things they do and do not like, and leave a legacy in someone else's life.

Christine enjoys reading, running, fishing, and spending time with her Dobey, Triton and husband, Mark.

Jennifer Mokos

Instructor

Jennifer is Sylvan Certified to teach Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, Geometry, Study Skills, Academic Writing, and ACT Prep. Jennifer also takes on the challenge of helping our upper level homework support students.

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor's in physics and her Master's in education. She began working with Sylvan in 2008. In her free time, she enjoys reading, sewing, and playing the violin.

Jennifer's favorite thing about Sylvan is helping students understand new concepts-the moment when it all "clicks" is very rewarding!

Kathryn Starbird

Instructor

Katie Race

Instructor

Kim Spencer

Instructor and Test Administrator

Kim is Sylvan Certified to teach Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, and Geometry. Kim also takes on the challenge of helping our upper level homework support students.

Kim Spencer graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education. She has taught math for the past 12 years and has enjoyed every moment. Her approach to math ensures that every child will understand a concept because she teaches students multiple ways to approach the math concept.

Kim has been at Sylvan since 2009 and has helped many students from elementary up through college.

Lucas Dyschkant

Instructor

Lucas is working towards his Sylvan Certifications to teach Math Essentials, Academic Reading, Sylvan Advanced Math, and Geometry. Lucas will also be one of our instructors who will take on the challenge of helping our upper level homework support students.

Lucas graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in mathematics and secondary education. He joined Sylvan in 2011 and is really enjoying himself here.

In his free time, Lucas enjoys watching television with his wife and doing sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Mary Ann Ribelin

Instructor

Mary Ann is back at Sylvan, and loving it! She is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Study Skills, and Academic Writing.

She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a degree in library science.

Paula Shafer Morin

Instructor

Paula is working towards her Sylvan Certifications to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, and Study Skills.

Paula graduated from EIU with B.A. in General Studies and honors in 2007. She is pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching through Greenville Christian College. Paula is currently a substitute teacher for Champaign Unit 4 elementary schools and Mahomet-Seymour Unit 3 schools. Paula has coached soccer and LOVES working with students on and off the field. She is a mom of a teenager and pre-teen and understands the frustrations of balancing work, family, and two different sports schedules. She enjoy spending time with family and is a native of Champaign County, growing up in St. Joseph

I love to work with students and help unlock their potential and support them however possible for the future of their success.

Phillip Foley

Instructor