Jim May

Center Owner

Dr. James May is a retired Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist who has worked and lived in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough since 1991. He and his wife, Julia Holmaas, currently split their time between living here in the Valley and Indiana. He obtained his doctorates in Clinical Psychology as well as Developmental Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1988. Dr. May enjoys spending time reading, taking landscape photographs and walking in the woods.

Debora Ann Lee

Director of Education/Center Director

Debora Ann Lee (known as Mrs. Deb) was born in Glennallen, Alaska.
Deb has lived in the Valley since 1974 except for a few years in Soldotna back in the 80’s. She has been working with children for over 25 years now. Deb has four children of her own and three grown step children. She is also the proud Grandma of three grandsons. Debora has both an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She currently has an Alaska Teaching Certificate to teach preschool through third grade. Deb is a substitute teacher here in the valley for the Matsu School District until she has the opportunity to have her own classroom. Teaching children has been Debora Ann’s lifetime dream, which started when her own Kindergarten teacher many years ago asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Deb replied “you”.

Judy Dunn

Community Liaison

Judy graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a major in mathematics and minors in English and Psychology and has held a wide variety of jobs over the years: Junior High Math Teacher and Substitute Teacher, Veterinarian Technician, successful realtor ...and now an enthusiastic teacher, tester and Jill of all trades at Mat-Su Sylvan Learning Center.
Judy & her husband, Read and 2 Michigan cats and 2 ALASKAN DOGs have lived in AK since 2007 and LOVE living in Alaska! Their daughter lives in Homer w/ her honey, Eli and they are busy building a bigger home. Their son, Rob, a published author & prof. at NCSU lives in NC with his wife and 2 children.

Craig Sorrie

Lead Teacher, Math

Craig has a B.S. In Physics from Wheaton College in Illinois. He is working towards his Masters in Education at U.A.A.

Craig spent most of his years growing up in Andover, Maine. He also lived in Colorado.

In his time away from teaching Craig spends time playing WOW: World of Warcraft, basketball and wrestling with his family. He loves science and spends his free time reading books and magazines.

Craig is married with two daughters. His home is occupied with dogs and rats (of course, of the pet variety)

Jane Ann Aldrich

Sylvan Outreach Volunteer

Nancy Macfarlane

Sylvan Teacher

Nancy Macfarlane has a Bachelor of Science in Science and Music as well as a Master of Arts degree in Outdoor Education from the University of Michigan. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization of women educators. She is also the owner and operator of Danamac Acres greenhouse. She has lived in the Mat-Su Valley for over 21 years. Nancy has been a 4-H project leader for 10 years and is the crops attendant at the Alaska State Fair.

Kathy Webb

Teacher

Kathy grew up on a homestead in Wasilla at a time when there were only 100 residents. She went to college in Fairbanks, earning a BA in English as well as a Master's of Administration. Kathy likes reading, socializing, traveling, singing and wading in puddles. She and her husband have been married for the past 33 years and have two children.

Margo Pierson

Sylvan Teacher, Math

Margo graduated with a degree in Education and Social Work. She grew up and taught in Wisconsin before she moved to Fairbanks. While there she taught more than 30 years and now makes her home in Palmer.

In her spare time, Margo loves to read, visit with friends and quilt.

Margo has two grown sons, four grandchildren and a dog named Zoey

Kitty Underbakke

Sylvan Teacher

Kitty has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Mathematics. She is married with two children. She enjoys playing with her Golden Retriever, Bert. In her copious free time she enjoys all kinds of needle work, quilting, sewing, and also make porcelain dolls.