Meet Our Team

Gloria Kane

Executive Director/Owner

As Executive Center Director and Owner, Gloria oversees all operations and manages the Pensacola Center’s directors, facilitators, and students.  As a former business consultant with a Degree in Education from Trinity Baptist College, Gloria chose a career in the tutoring business because she is truly passionate about education and serving the families of the Gulf Coast. When not at Sylvan, Gloria is an avid listener of Audible books, enjoys exploring the Gulf Coast sites and singing to country music.

Espanita Jordan

Tutor

Espanita is a teacher in the Escambia County School District, as well as, a tutor with the Pensacola Learning Center. Espanita’s expertise is particularly with beginning and early readers while remaining strong in all elementary skill areas. She has been employed with the Pensacola center for 15 years.  In her spare time, Espanita is very active in her church.

Pati Swanz-Reiners

Tutor

Pati Swanz-Reiners is a School Counselor with Escambia County School District. She is certified in the areas of Guidance and Counseling, English, Reading, Preschool Education, and Exceptional Student Education. She is a graduate of South Dakota State University. Pati obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development and her undergraduate degree in Sociology. In her spare time, Pati enjoys learning about technology in the field of education.

Josilyn has a passion for early childhood education and has been a Sylvan tutor for 3 years now. The success of her students at Sylvan is credited to her fun and encouraging teaching style. Outside of Sylvan she enjoys shopping and spending time with her family and friends.

Michael Xydas

Tutor

Michael is a current student at the University of West Florida, graduating in December 2023. When asked about his passion for teaching, Michael says, “I love teaching and passing down my knowledge to my students at Sylvan. I enjoy seeing the smiles of students when they learn something new.” With a background in aviation as a licensed pilot, Michael is one of Sylvan’s leading math and ACT/SAT Prep tutors. Michael is working on his certified flight instructor license, so he is constantly learning different teaching tactics to not only use in the hangar classroom but in the center at Sylvan as well.

Samantha Watkins

Tutor

Samantha has been a tutor with Sylvan for 2 years, and her quiet demeanor and thoughtfulness adds life to our sometimes quiet, struggling students. Samantha brings to Sylvan her specialized knowledge in higher level math and ACT/SAT Prep. When she is not flying a plane or hanging out with her dog, Samantha enjoys helping students at Sylvan make their learning goals.

Mia Akau

Tutor

As a University of West Florida Psychology Graduate, Mia not only has a passion for teaching early childhood education but for shaping healthy, young minds as well. With experience teaching in K-12 in Virginia Beach, she now enjoys her life educating at Sylvan and Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy here in Pensacola. As a mother, breast cancer survivor, and educator, Mia is determined to do her best with whatever she faces in life and never loses the passion she has for children and education.

Rachel Evers

Tutor

From teaching Kindergarten for sixteen years to teaching in adult education, Rachel has had over 28 years of experience teaching in Santa Rosa County. When asked about her experience in education, she says, “Working with children is my passion and purpose!” Rachel’s enthusiasm for children and education helps create the fun and engaging environment we have here at Sylvan.

Jet Babbitt

Tutor

Jet has a passion for early childhood development and education and has been working with children for over 5 years. From being a full-time nanny to a summer camp counselor, and of course being a tutor here at Sylvan, she has always made it a priority to help young minds grow. Outside of Sylvan, Jet enjoys being in the outdoors and occasionally flies small airplanes.