Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in South Edmonton consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in South Edmonton know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school.
Get to know our tutors and staff in South Edmonton!
Alina Polyvana
Centre Director
Director
Meet Alina, the dedicated Centre Director who orchestrates seamless operations, delivers impactful Ongoing Conferences for parents, and leads a team of passionate educators. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, specialized from Delaware State University in 2021, Alina brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.
For Alina, the cornerstone of success lies in recognizing that Education is Everything. Her fervour for guiding students toward their academic aspirations and personal development is unwavering. When she’s not steering educational endeavours, Alina indulges in her passions for travel and tennis and dives into the pages of captivating reads.
Sheena T'u
Tutor
Sheena has been a tutor at the Sylvan Learning Centre for many years. The first time she realized she had a passion for teaching was when she taught English over in Taiwan. Upon coming back to Canada, she obtained an after degree in Education (her first degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology), and worked as a substitute teacher in Red Deer. Sheena got married in 2012 and moved to Edmonton. She enjoys getting to see students learning and succeeding in their reading, math, writing, and study skills.
Spencer William Ellery
Head Teacher
Spencer started at Sylvan shortly after earning his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Concordia University of Edmonton. While working toward his degree, he spent time tutoring students in physics. Since starting at Sylvan, he has developed a passion for teaching that led him to pursue an after-degree in education from the University of Alberta. He most enjoys teaching math and physics, especially at the high school level. Spencer expects to graduate with his education degree in the winter of 2026, where after he hopes to bring his experience from Sylvan to all of his classrooms, creating a learning environment that serves and welcomes students with diverse learning needs.
Mani Vahdatizadeh
Tutor
Mani began tutoring in high school and has since guided students of all ages across Canada and the United States. He takes pride in helping learners master challenging concepts and shares his love of lifelong learning. Drawing on his background as a respite worker, camp counsellor, and psychology student at the University of Alberta, Mani is adept at teaching learners with ADHD, autism, and other diverse needs. He tailors his approach to each student, ensuring everyone feels supported and confident. Known for his light-hearted humour, Mani creates an engaging environment that encourages exploration and growth.
Akwasi Amponsah
Tutor
Akwasi Amponsah is a passionate tutor who believes that every child has the potential to excel when given the right guidance and encouragement.
Currently pursuing a Master’s in Agricultural Economics at the University of Alberta, Akwasi combines his strong analytical background with a deep passion for education. He enjoys seeing students overcome challenges and develop a love for learning. Beyond academics, Akwasi is a huge sports enthusiast. Whether it’s on the basketball court or the hockey rink, he understands the value of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance- lessons he brings into his teaching. He is committed to creating a supportive and inspiring learningenvironment where students feel motivated to succeed.
Aurora Nollido
Tutor
Aurora Nollido joined Sylvan last year. She is an alumnus of the University of Alberta. Aurora is passionate about helping students succeed and achieve their academic goals. With a genuine love for education, she finds fulfillment in guiding students through their learning journeys, offering support, motivation, and personalized strategies to help them thrive. When she has free time, she likes watching movies and reading books. She also loves to travel, try different cuisines, and visit museums and galleries.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (780) 495-9500 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
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