Meet Our Team

Sarah

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Sarah oversees Indiana centers in Mishawaka, Elkhart, Merrillville, Schererville, Valparaiso, Fishers, Carmel, West Indianapolis, South Indianapolis, Fort Wayne North, and Fort Wayne South, and four Florida centers in Clermont, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips and Kissimmee. She thoroughly enjoys working with all of the students and their families. Sarah studied at Cedarville University.  When Sarah isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.

Kent

Owner

Welcome to Sylvan Learning Center! My name is Kent Kolbow, and I am the owner and one of the directors. I received my college education in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During my educational experience, I completed a bachelor’s degree in Math with a strong background in Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology. I also earned an endorsement in education. During college, I taught at Sylvan Learning centers in Fort Wayne, and within a few years, became the Director. In 1997, I decided to purchase the Sylvan centers in Elkhart and Mishawaka. I have since had the opportunity to purchase nine additional centers in Indiana. My goal through working with Sylvan is “Success with Every Student.”

Elena

Director of Student Advancement

As Center Director, Elena leads overseeing students’ programs, conferencing with class teachers, and meeting with parents for Sylvan of South Indianapolis. A former kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Elena chose a career in the tutoring business because she loves helping students learn. She studied at IUPUI. Elena especially enjoys spending time with family, baking, swimming, or traveling with her husband who helps coach a travel baseball team.

Megan

Center Director

Megan graduated from Franklin College in 2015 with degrees in both history and political science. Since then, she has exclusively worked with at risk youth in Johnson County and surrounding areas. As the oldest girl of five children, she has always felt like a natural teacher. Megan is the proud aunt of four nieces and nephews and feels extremely blessed to have her godson, Greyson. With two of her younger siblings on the spectrum, she is also a fierce advocate for those with special needs. When Megan isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, playing video games, or spending time with her loved ones.

Jim

Math Teacher

Jim is a math teacher who enjoys explaining the concepts of math to his students. He has the unique ability to help clarify difficult lessons. He studied at Ball State University and spends his free time playing guitar and watching football.

Emily-Kate

Teacher

Emily-Kate is a teacher in Greenwood, IN who loves helping students find the joy that reading can bring. While Emily-Kate has many tutoring talents, She finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied at Franklin College. She has many interests including drinking iced coffee, visiting hidden bookshops, and going to baseball games with her family.

Jolene

Teacher

Jolene teaches in Greenwood, IN, and has a special ability to tutor students in all things math, as well as other subjects. She completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana State and furthered her graduate studies at IUPUI, Marian, and Indiana Wesleyan. Jolene also enjoys walking, reading, swimming, and traveling.

Brooklyn

Tutor

Brooklyn is an English tutor at Sylvan Learning of South Indianapolis with a gift for working with kids. While Brooklyn has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in teaching speech. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Indianapolis in 2021. She currently teaches a variety of English classes at Franklin Central High School. Her favorite part of teaching is creating positive relationships with her students. When Brooklyn isn’t at tutoring you will almost always find her reading a book!

Allison

Tutor

Allison is a kindergarten teacher in Indianapolis, IN with a gift for working with kids. While Allison has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in phonics/reading tutoring. She studied at Ball State University. When Allison isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading a book, spending time with her family/friends, and jamming/dancing to her favorite music!

Joe

Teacher

Joe is a math tutor at Sylvan Learning of South Indianapolis with a gift for working with kids. While Joe has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in upper level math tutoring. Joe enjoys teaching because it can really make a difference in student’s lives and he gets to see the progress students make over time. Joe studied at both Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Indiana University Southeast. When Joe isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him at the movie theater watching the latest blockbuster movie on the big screen with his wife, eating out at a local restaurant, or watching sports on TV with family and friends.

McKenzie

Tutor

McKenzie is a reading and math tutor at Sylvan Learning of South Indianapolis with a gift for working with kids. While she has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in sharing her love of learning with her students and developing relationships with each of them. She studied at Franklin College and currently teaches in the Franklin Community School District. When McKenzie isn’t at tutoring, you’ll find her reading any book that catches her attention or taking her dogs outside to play! She also likes to jump on any chance to go on a trip – whether it is states away or just down the street.

Cassie

Tutor

Cassie is a math and reading tutor at Sylvan of Indianapolis with a gift for working with kids. While Cassie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied at Purdue University. When Cassie isn’t at tutoring, you’ll find her baking bread or coaching basketball.

Emily

Tutor

Emily is a math and reading tutor at Sylvan of Indianapolis with a gift for working with kids. While Emily has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She graduated from IUPUI and currently teaches high school English. When Emily isn’t at tutoring, you’ll find her going on hikes with her dog, Ollie, and watching baseball games.