Meet Our Team

Vanity Barr-Little, PhD

Executive Director

Dr. Vanity Barr-Little, an Air Force veteran and a dedicated mother of four children, founded Sylvan Learning of Apollo Beach and Riverview to support the educational growth and success of her children and other students in her community. Dr. Barr-Little’s robust academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Saint Leo University, a Master of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Doctorate degree from Capella University. Dr. Barr-Little’s hobbies include reading, traveling, and cherishing quality time with her family.

Erin Messano

Center Director

Ms. Messano studied liberal arts with Saint Leo University and ultimately chose a career in education because she wants to help students reach their full potential. As a former Hillsborough County School teacher, she believes very strongly that a solid education and a love for learning set children up for long-term and lifelong success. Ms. Messano brings her experience as a teacher, a mother of three adult children, and community liaison to Sylvan Learning. When Ms. Erin isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her learning something new and spending time with her family.

Allison Braun

Assistant Center Director

Ms. Allison earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological and Social Sciences from Pennsylvania State University, graduating cum laude. She has worked in elementary education for almost 8 years. While Ms. Allison has many tutoring talents, she most enjoys tutoring math. Ms. Allison believes that everyone could use a little bit of help every now and then. When she isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find Ms. Allison playing Pokémon with her friends or digging into a new book.

Joe Thomas

Tutor

Mr. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Oregon and a Florida Teacher Certificate in social studies. As a seasoned educator with nearly 20 years of experience, Mr. Joe believes that an enlightened mind is the ultimate superpower. When he is not at Sylvan, you will find Mr. Thomas being a huge science fiction nerd.

Diana Pidgeon

Tutor

Ms. Pidgeon is a Master’s-prepared professional. She graduated from the University of Tampa, as well as the University of Phoenix. Prior to working in education, she was a public health nurse and RN case manager. Ms. Diana is adored by her students for being very engaging. She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential. When Ms. Diana isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her family.

Wafaa Younis

Tutor

Ms. Wafaa earned a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and has tutored students of all ages and levels in the subject of math. As a seasoned math tutor, Ms. Wafaa believes that although math can be tricky sometimes, but it’s the easiest subject to master. When she is not at Sylvan, you will find Ms. Wafaa cooking, sewing, and running after her kids (lol).

Artemis Floyd

Tutor

Ms. Floyd attends the College of the Florida Keys and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. In addition to her love for marine environmental science and technology, she also loves to help people understand math. Ms. Floyd says, “math helps us understand the real world and its patterns.” When she isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find Ms. Floyd volunteering as a coral restoration diver, or playing video games with friends.

Summer Farlow

Tutor

Ms. Summer is a student at the University of Central Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. Her goal is to work for NASA as an aerospace engineer and participate in the Artemis Mission to explore the Moon for the purpose of scientific discovery and technological advancement. Ms. Summer has worked with elementary through high school students, tutoring all levels of mathematics up to precalculus. When she isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find Ms. Summer working on engineering projects while listening to her favorite music.

Carolyn Stafford

Tutor

Mrs. Stafford earned her Bachelor of Science in Science Education degree from the University of South Florida. She is a Hillsborough County school teacher, endorsed by the Florida Department of Education for Biology and General Science. She has worked in middle school education for over 30 years. While Mrs. Stafford has many tutoring talents, she enjoys STEM instruction the most. She believes that a student’s success comes from instilling confidence and helping them develop essential learning skills. When she’s not at Sylvan, Mrs. Stafford enjoys playing with her three dogs, listening to audiobooks, and maintaining her beautiful lawn and garden with her husband of 34 years.

Cory Davis

Tutor

Mr. Davis attended Queens College, City University of New York, earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Elementary Education. He is a Hillsborough County school teacher, endorsed by the Florida Department of Education for Elementary Education K-6, Reading, and ESOL. Mr. Davis has earned several awards and recognitions, including consecutive nominations for the Excellence in Action Award, which is given by the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System. While Mr. Davis has many tutoring talents, he enjoys tutoring mathematics the most. He believes that students learn best when they feel connected to learning and see the “why” behind what they are learning. When he isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find Mr. Davis watching and attending sporting events.