Meet Our Team

Jason Blanshine

Owner & Center Director

Director

Jason Blanshine, Center Director, opened Sylvan Learning of Lewes in September 2020. Before Sylvan, Jason was a Special Education teacher at Rehoboth Elementary School for 9 years and a paraprofessional at Milford High School for 3 years prior to that. Jason opened Sylvan with the vision of providing families supplemental educational services in the area. Jason’s favorite part of Sylvan is seeing children walking in the door with smiles on their faces and interacting with both the students and parents knowing we are making a difference to that family! Jason has a B.A. History from the University of Delaware and a M.A. Secondary Education from Wilmington University.

Chrissy Ockels

Teacher

Chrissy has been with Sylvan Learning of Lewes nearly since the beginning! Before Sylvan, Chrissy taught kindergarten at Lake Forest South Elementary School for 6 years. Chrissy loves working with kids in a smaller setting, seeing them grow as individuals, and become more confident in themselves. Chrissy has a B.A. in Elementary Education (K-8) from Wesley College and M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction from Wesley College. She graduated Magna Cum Laude! When Chrissy isn’t teaching, she likes to spend time with her 3 children who play volleyball, baseball, and junior drag racing! She also loves decorating cakes (and they’re delicious)!

Bonnie Watson

Teacher

Bonnie has been a teacher at Sylvan Learning of Lewes since November 2021. Prior to joining our team, she taught 4th-8th grade in Montgomery County, Maryland and Arlington, Virginia. Working with children gives Bonnie a great sense of pride and accomplishment! Bonnie is a graduate of the University of Maryland and completed her graduate work at Trinity College (D.C.). Bonnie has 2 grown sons and a granddaughter who she loves to spend time with. She enjoys working out, gardening, and of course those Delaware beaches!

Liz joined our team in March 2021, bringing an energetic and creative teaching style coupled with a steadfast belief in the potential of every student. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Delaware State University and pursued further academic achievement with a Master’s degree in English Language Learning from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, UT. Liz boasts a diverse teaching background, having served as a substitute teacher at Long Neck Elementary School and Indian River School District, as well as a Youth Care Worker and Educational Training Specialist at Delaware Technical Community College. Her classroom experience includes roles as a 5th-grade teacher at Hurlock Elementary School and a 3rd-grade teacher at Dorchester County Public Schools. Liz plays a crucial role in our team’s efforts at Most Blessed Sacrament, in Berlin, Maryland, where we offer after-school tutoring to students in the local community. Her breadth of experience and dedication to student success greatly enrich our educational programs at Sylvan.