Patricia Reynosa

Director of Education

Pat Reynosa earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education from the prestigious Our Lady of the Lake University, and she has served within the field of education as both a teacher and as an Elementary TAKS Prep specialist in the Harlandale and South San Antonio school districts. Pat started with Sylvan as an instructor in August 2005 at the center formerly located at Military/Zarzamorra where she was highly regarded for the rapport that she developed with the students at the table. Now as the Director of Education at the Goliad center, Pat's primary responsibilities include conferencing with families and schools on an ongoing basis, providing the lesson plans for all of our teachers, monitoring the instructional area, and training our center's teachers and teacher assistants. Students and parents really appreciate the compassionate approach that Pat demonstrates to ensure that every family's academic needs are met. Pat's dedication to all of our students is a key component of our center's continued success!

Margaret Ann Parsons

Lead Teacher / Test Administrator

Margaret is a retired teacher, P.E. coach, and librarian. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Margaret not only teaches almost every Sylvan subject possible, but she also administers the Sylvan Skills Assessment to almost every student that comes to the center. Margaret enjoys arts/crafts, dancing, and gardening. Her claim to fame? At North Texas State University, one of the students in the P.E. class that she taught was Mean Joe Green (of the Pittsburgh Steelers).

Julia Munoz-Garza

Teacher

Julia grew up and attended school in the San Antonio area. A graduate of Texas Lutheran University, Julia is an assistant band director with the San Antonio Independent School District. Her hobbies include reading, baking, sewing, playing computer/video games, making soap and candles, gardening, and hanging out with her niece. At Sylvan, Julia teaches Academic Reading, Beginning Reading, Math Essentials, and Study Skills.

Josie G. Mendoza

Teacher

Josie grew up in Laredo, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&I University before moving to San Antonio to be a Spanish teacher. Now retired from San Antonio Independent School District, Josie teaches Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, Math Essentials, and Homework Support (Spanish).

Cecile Schultz

Teacher

Before finally settling down in San Antonio, Cecile spent her childhood in Indiana, graduated high school in Illinois, and attended college in Wisconsin! A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, Cecile teaches Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, Math Essentials, Study Skills, and SAT Verbal. Cecile has earned certifications in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12). In her spare time, you will often find Cecile engaged in her favorite pasttime: reading.

Khalid Zakaria

Teacher

Khalid is a hometown graduate of East Central High School and of the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia! Khalid teaches 2nd grade at his full-time position with San Antonio Independent School District. At Sylvan, Khalid teaches Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and SAT Prep Mathematics. Khalid is an avid movie buff, and one his favorite quotes that he applies in education is from an Academy Award winning movie: "It's an amazing thing when you realize you can still surprise yourself."

Donny Tejeda

Math Specialist

After graduating from nearby Southside High School, Donny earned a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University. His favorite quote is exemplified in how he approaches the learning process with students at the table: "Success in life is not only measured by one's victories, but by how one overcomes failures." Donny tutors all levels of mathematics, high school physics (homework support), and SAT Prep Math.

Maria Espinoza

Teacher

At Sylvan, Maria teaches Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, Math Essentials, and Study Skills. After graduating (as valedictorian) from Burbank HS and earning her B.A. in Education at Trinity University, Maria taught for thirty years in San Antonio ISD. Her career highlights include speaking at the Congressional Education Forum in Washington DC and being featured in American Educator magazine. Maria's former students have selected her as the "Teacher Who Greatly Influenced Me" in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2008. Maria enjoys traveling to historically significant places and watching her favorite sports teams - the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. Currently, Maria serves as a GEAR UP Tutor in SAISD when she is not at Sylvan. Maria's claim to fame? She's actually seen Elvis in person during his "Jumpsuit phase" during the 70s.

Eric Storey

Teacher

Ruben Pena

Teacher

Roy Gonzales

Teacher Assistant

Roy is a graduate of Southside High School and a music student at Palo Alto College. His interests include music (of course!) and technology. When he is not at Sylvan, Roy may be on the road with his band performing in a variety of locales!

Jason Cristofoletti

Teacher Assistant

Vincent Martinez

Teacher Assistant

Gabrielle Lemus

Teacher Assistant

"Gabby" (as she is known by her friends and colleagues at the center) is a student at Palo Alto College. She plans on majoring on Early Childhood Education.

Mindy Hearn

Center Director

Mindy has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, East Bay. She has 10 years classroom experience teaching 1st and 3rd grade. She came to Sylvan as a Director of Education in 2002, and was promoted to Center Director in 2003. She has sucessfully managed three Sylvan Learning Centers in the San Antonio area.
Her responsibilities include overseeing the daily operations of the center and conferring with parents.