Meet Our Team

Jody Simpson

Regional Director

Jody has been with Sylvan for over 24 years. Jody conducts conferences, assists families with their needs and ensures that our center is always upholding the Sylvan Pledge! She loves to build relationships with families and create life long partnerships. In her spare time, Jody loves to spend time with her family, attend all of her kids events, travel, and try new recipes.

Katie Ruby

Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Sylvan Learning Center, Katie leads the center and community partnerships with initial family and community consultations,  manages the overall customer experience, and ensures high-quality operations are executed. Katie’s international education in both business and hospitality has allowed her to travel to several corners of the world. Through this international experience, she found a passion for helping children in their education while volunteering for several youth causes throughout her studies abroad. When Katie is not at Sylvan you’ll find her enjoying time with family and friends.

Bree Koester

Director of Educational Growth and Development

Bree oversees the educational integrity of our programs, and manages and trains our team of tutors in Johnston. She studied Education at the University of Iowa and is a Certified Leadership Coach. She has four kids ages 8 to 17 & is working towards her Masters in Organizational Leadership at Grand View University. When Bree isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her kayaking with her husband, biking, disc golfing or traveling.

Celeste McQuistan

Executive Assistant

Celeste, also known as CC! Is the Executive Assistant at Sylvan Learning Center of Johnston and Community Partnerships. CC assists the Directors with high functioning administrative work such as student and family scheduling and important customer services responsibilities. She also helps facilitate and organize community partnerships, keeping track of community programming, and officiating communications between Sylvan and community partners. She has recently graduated from Iowa State University and spends most of her time outside of Sylvan reading, writing, telling stories, and cheering for the Cyclones!

Grace Rubio

Program Coordinator

Grace started out as an in center instructor and Ace It instructor and is now the Program Coordinator. Her role consists of organizing and managing Sylvan’s after school programs in the area. While Grace has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in kids learning in creative ways. When Grace isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, attending to her fish tanks, and writing.

Bob Geurink

Certified Teacher

Bob has been working at Sylvan for five years! He has taught in Iowa high schools for over 30 years, as an English teacher, the last 21 at Dallas Center-Grimes. He lives in Norwalk with his wife, Brenda, and their two youngest children. He also has two adult children!

Maya Jackson

Certified Teacher

Maya is a grad student at Iowa State University who has previously worked as a substitute teacher. While Maya has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied at Central College in Pella, IA. When Maya isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her enjoying the outdoors, spending time with friends, or reading books.

Cayla Curtis

Certified Teacher

Cayla is a math, reading, and writing tutor in Johnston, IA. Cayla has a gift for working with kids and helping them meet their academic goals. She studied at Iowa State University and adored walking the beautiful campus!

Mindy Donovan

Certified Teacher

Mindy is a teacher at Sylvan in Johnston. She absolutely loves working with the kids! They truly bring her so much joy. Her background is in pediatric oncology nursing and she currently owns her own business. She has been married for 29 years and has 5 kids ages 28-18, plus two of the most adorable grandsons on the planet. In her spare time, she loves to do pretty much anything that involves being outside and with her family.