Our Staff
Harriet Berlin
Center Director
As Center Director of the Sylvan Learning Center in Columbus, Harriet oversees all facets of the center's operations. The students and their academic progress are her highest priority.
Harriet has a bachelor's degree in education and is a former English teacher. She served for twelve years on the Columbus Public Schools Board of Education. "I have been involved in education for many, many years, and I am thoroughly impresssed with Sylvan's results."
Pat Bosak
Director of Education
As Director of Education, Pat's first priority is helping students achieve their educational goals. She maintains detailed records of the students' progress and works closely with students, teachers, and parents to ensure student's success.
Pat received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She has thirty years of classroom experience from pre-school through college tutoring.
Jami Brandl
Instructor
Jami Brandl is a Sylvan certified teacher who can do it all -- Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Spanish, Algebra I, and nearly everything a student might need. She holds a bachelor's degree from Wayne State College in elementary education with an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). When not at Sylvan, she serves as a substitute teacher in area schools.
Jennifer Davies
Instructor
Jennifer Davies is the most experienced Sylvan teacher at the Columbus Learning Center. She served as Director of Education for nearly three years and now is a fourth grade teacher at Osceola Public Schools. Jennifer is Sylvan certified and has experience in all areas including assessments and ACT Prep. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in elementary education.
Jill Erickson
Instructor
Jill Erickson received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in elementary education. She has taught 4th grade for the Grand Island Public Schools and is now the 4th grade teacher at St. Bon's Elementary in Columbus. At Sylvan Learning Center Jill teaches Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, and Math Essentials.
Kelsey Gabel
Instructor
Kelsey Gabel is a 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a bachelor of science in education and human sciences. She completed her student teaching at Osceola Elementary and will be teaching 3rd grade at Shelby, Nebraska this fall. At Sylvan Learning Center, Kelsey teaches Beginning Reading, Math Essentials, and Academic Reading.
Roger Lescelius
Instructor
Roger Lescelius holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters of Science degree in electrical engineering. He can teach all upper level science and math programs, including chemistry, physics, biology, general science, algebra, geometry, and calculus. He also teaches the science and math portions of the ACT Prep Class at Sylvan Learning Center.
Carol Mahar
Instructor
Carol Mahar teaches upper level math and Academic Reading at Sylvan. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in information science and is a certified teacher in mathematics for K - 12. When she isn't teaching at Sylvan Learning Center, you can find Carol teaching fulltime at Lakeview Community Schools.
Michele Mueller
Instructor
Michele Mueller is an experienced Sylvan teacher who specializes in reading and English, and she also teaches the English and reading portions of the ACT Prep Class at Sylvan Learning Center. She has a bachelor's degree in French and English, a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, and an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL). She is a fulltime teacher at Columbus Middle School.
Jarrod Ridder
Instructor
Jarrod Ridder has joined the team at the Columbus Sylvan Learning Center this past year. He is already Sylvan certified in Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, and Math Essentials. Jarrod is a graduate of Wayne State College with a Bachelors of Science in elementary education and he did his student teaching at West Park Elementary in Columbus. He will be a fulltime teacher at St. Bon's Elementary School in the fall of 2008.
