Mike Sullivan

Executive Director

ABOUT MIKE:
Mike is husband to Cindy and father of Matthew, 23, and Michael, 20.
EDUCATION:
B.A. in Political Science from Hardin Simmons University.
EXPERIENCE:
Former board member of Abilene ISD Board of Trustees, Abilene Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, & the Better Business Bureau. He is the President of the Board of Serenity House. He is also a board member for Pregnancy Resources of Abilene. He has owned this Sylvan Learning Center since November 2002. He also has owned the Sylvan in Abilene, TX since May of 2000. I also am co-owner of Wichita Falls since July, 2008.

Jen Medema

Director of Education

Jen graduated from Northwestern College in Iowa in 2002 with an English Ed degree. She is certified to teach LA/Reading 8-12 and also has her reading specialist certification and Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Language and Literacy from UT Austin (May 2008). Jen taught middle school English for 3 years and also taught for the Summer Institute for the Gifted and the Institute of Reading Development. She likes to read, write, hike, cook, and listen to music. She is newly engaged!

Brittany Ferrell

Director of Education

Brittany has been with Sylvan since July 2009. Brittany received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2006 and her Master’s of Education in 2008 from Texas Tech University. She is certified to teach EC-4th grade and is ESL certified. Brittany taught 1st grade in Littlefield ISD before coming to Sylvan. Brittany is married to Matt Ferrell who works at Texas Tech University for Hospitality Services. Brittany likes to play soccer, run, read, and travel.

Marsha Ramirez

Teacher

Marsha is certified in Secondary Mathematics. She is currently teaching classes for home-schooled high school students. These classes include Algebra I and II, Trigonometry and Calculus. Marsha has 29 years teaching experience and is the mother of five children. In her "spare" time, she enjoys reading, crochet and sudoku puzzles. She has been at Sylvan since 2006.

Subjects taught: Math Essentials, SAT Prep, Algebra I and II, Calculus, Study Skills and Academic Reading

Gabriel Ramirez

Teacher

Gabriel has a B.A. in Mathematics and currently teaches all levels of math at Sylvan. He has been with Sylvan since May 2006. When Gabriel is not teaching, he enjoys building computers, playing instruments, reading or backpacking. He has taught at Sylvan since 2006.

Subjects taught: Math Essentials, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Statistics, and Calculus

Jan Rinard

Teacher

Jan is currently the reading resource specialist at Cavazos Middle school. She has taught Kindergarten through 9th grade. She holds a B.S. and Master's degree in education. In her spare time she enjoys working in the yard, playing with animals and traveling. She has been at Sylvan since early 2007.

Subjects taught: Academic Reading, Beginning Reading, Study Skills and Math Essentials

Lynn Simmons

Teacher

Lynn recently retired from teaching 1st through 3rd grade for the past 30 years, most of which were with Slaton ISD. She loves playing gold and reading a good book. She has been with Sylvan a year.

Subjects taught: Academic reading, Writing and Beginning reading.

Kristen Hurd

Teacher

Kristen is currently teaching grades 6-12 for the third year at Premier High School.

Education: B.S. Veterinary Sciences from University of Arizona; M.Ed.
Wayland Baptist University

Experience: 8 years homeschool mom of three girls, Algebra tutor; PE/Health teacher & Athletic Director/Coach in Arizona for 2 years

Hobbies: Spending time with her girls! One is a dental assistant in Arizona, The other two are in college. One is studying pediatric medicine in AZ, one is studying psychology at Tech, and one is in high school in Lubbock! I am their #1 supporter for missions trips, horse riding/training competitions, and dance/gymnastics events!

Jessica Mauldin

Teacher

Eileen Bonds

Teacher

Eileen Bonds is beginning her 30th year as a kindergarten teacher at Hodges Elementary. Ms. Bonds graduated from Texas Tech University in 1980 with a degree in Elementary Education and a Reading Specialization. She is certified to teach kindergarten through 8th grade, and enjoys teaching all curriculum areas.
To balance out her day with the kindergarteners she loves the chance to tutor the older students. This is the reason she teaches at Sylvan Learning Center. She wants to teach the literary elements of reading as well as many other subject areas including homework support and study skills. She hopes to have a positive impact on the students personally as well as academically. In her spare time, she practices yoga, volunteers at the hospitals with the Pet Therapy program, and enjoys dancing!

John Baker

Teacher

John Baker has been an educator for 22 years; four years as an Agricultural Sciences teacher, 11 years as a general science teacher and the last seven years as an administrator.

John has been a resident of the area since 1984. He is married and has three children, one in college and two in middle school.

John was educated at Texas Tech with a B.S. in Agricultural Education and a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences. He received his principal certification through Wayland Baptist.

John enjoys hunting, baseball and football. Coaching his two sons in the athletic endeavors gives him a great sense of joy. He enjoys watching his daughter when she rides horses and being involved in her other activities related to the college experience.

Amanda Phillips

Teacher

Amanda has her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech University. She is certified to teach Pre-K through 8th grade. Amanda currently is a substitute teacher for LISD. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her dog, Ruby, spending time with her family and sewing.

Bethany Tibbetts

Teacher

I am a Pre-K Integration Teacher with LISD. This is a fairly new position with the District and I am enjoying the challenges of it as well as working with my young first time students! Sylvan is another opportunity for me to interact with students and see them succeed!

Elizabeth Keino

Teacher

Kristin Miller

Facilitator

Sunnie Otto

Teacher

Sunnie Otto graduated from the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN with a degree in Elementary Education. She loves teaching, really enjoys working with children, and is excited to be a part of this wonderful team here at Sylvan!

Karen Storie

Teacher

Karen is certified in 1-8 with a reading specialization. She has worked with all grade levels of students. She has worked teaching math and science at Premier High School and also a substitute teacher with LISD. She loves to work with students of all ages and is very happy to be part of the Sylvan team.