Meet Our Team

Venetya Evans

Director

Venetya earned a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA in French Literature after spending a year studying in France with the UCLA Education Abroad Program. Her professional background is in Information Technology, where she forged a career lasting three decades, mostly on skills that were self-taught. Her passion for education started as a young mom of two when she took time off to spend a day in the classrooms of her children. Seeing the impact of teachers who love to teach on the children left a profound impression. She decided then that a Learning Center would be a worthy pursuit. Decades later, retired, Venetya picked up where she left off all those years ago as a Sylvan Franchise Owner and Center Director where she is excited to serve the families of Simi Valley and Moorpark.

Myra B.

Lead Teacher

Myra is a dedicated and experienced educator with an impressive 39 years of teaching experience in high school level math up to Algebra 2. She is a proud graduate of Texas A & M Corpus Christi, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in math education. Continuing her education, she also holds a Master’s in education from Grand Canyon University. Throughout her career, Myra has been committed to providing her students with a strong foundation in mathematics, helping them to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Her passion for teaching is evident in her interactions with her students, as she strives to create a supportive and engaging learning environment in which they can thrive.

Outside of the classroom, Myra is a longtime resident of Simi Valley, where she has built strong connections within the community. She is a devoted wife and mother, with a son and daughter-in-law who reside in Northern California.

In her own words, Myra shares, “I enjoy working with teenagers – they are very interesting and keep me up on the world around them!”

Myra’s dedication to her students and her passion for education make her a valuable asset to our team here at Sylvan.

Veronica C.

Teacher

“Hello! My name is Veronica, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Sylvan team, where I’m dedicated to empowering students to unlock their full academic potential. Specializing in fostering math skills, reading and writing, as well as programming, I believe I can create a supportive and dynamic learning environment where every student can thrive. As a college student myself, I understand the challenges of balancing academics with a busy schedule. That’s why I’m committed to providing personalized guidance tailored to each student’s unique needs. Let’s embark on this learning journey together!”

Kelly N.

Teacher

Kelly has always had a lifelong love of teaching and working with children. She spent several years volunteering in elementary classrooms before earning her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of La Verne and studying to become an elementary school teacher. She has experience with preschool-6th grade, as she thrives off the energy and positivity they exude. With a unique background in recreation and education, Kelly brings a blend of creativity, zeal, and experience.

When not working for the local school district, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. Her favorite hobbies include traveling, reading, as well as playing kickball and pickleball.

Karen Cano

Teacher

Karen is an experienced educator with over 40 years of working with mild to moderate students under the umbrella of Special Education. Karen worked for a nonpublic school in the San Fernando valley, teaching Art, Ceramics, Algebra and Consumer Math. In 2006, she became Principal and dedicated her career to helping students with learning disabilities and behavioral issues to realize their full potential and become positive members of their communities. Outside of the classroom, Karen has been resident of Simi Valley for 30 years, raising three successful adult children and now immersing herself into this community. She teaches the art of polymer clay at the Simi Valley Senior Center and is involved with the Simi Valley Cultural Arts center and their summer camp program. Karen also belongs to a ceramics group that meets weekly. Karen loves to travel to see how other cultures live, grows food for a true farm-to-table experience and loves teaching sustainable living to her grandchildren. “I’m excited to be part of the Sylvan Team! I love watching students grow in their learning process. Through their own accomplishments, I see their self-esteem and confidence rise to new levels. Positive experiences with teachers can lead to a lifelong love of learning!”