Meet Our Team

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. Throughout 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, four in Florida, and five in Maryland. My goal through working with Sylvan is “Success with every student.”

Sarah

Chief Operating Officer/ Owner

As Chief Operating Officer & Owner, Sarah oversees eleven centers in Indiana (Mishawaka, Elkhart, Merrillville, Schererville, Valparaiso, Fishers, Carmel, Plainfield, Greenwood, Fort Wayne North, & Fort Wayne South), four Florida centers (Clermont, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips & Kissimmee), and five centers in Maryland (Bel Air, Crofton, Catonsville, Timonium, & Columbia). 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.

Kristen

Center Director / Team Lead

Director

Kristen is the Center Director / Team Lead for Sylvan of Merrillville and Valparaiso, IN. A former physical education coordinator in Colorado, Kristen chose to return back to Indiana and to the academic side of education because she thrives on the connections made with parents and students as they overcome educational challenges. She studied at Indiana University. When Kristen isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with family as well as her 2 dogs (Lu and Milo) and cat (D.O.G).

Tatiana

Director of Education

Director

Tatiana is the Director of Education at Sylvan Learning of Merrillville. She oversees the educational integrity of our programs as well as managing and training our team of teachers in Merrillville, IN. She received her bachelors through Western Governors University. When Tatiana isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her at the gym or with her family and her four-legged children: Bailey, Clutch (dogs), Macy and Phoenix (cats).

Bennie

Lead Teacher

Bennie is a Lead Teacher at Sylvan Learning of Merrillville as well as our Schererville and Valparaiso locations. While Bennie has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in tutoring upper-level mathematics. He studied at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, IN. When Bennie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him at home binge-watching the latest Netflix documentary. He has been with Sylvan since October 2023.

Cathy

Lead Teacher

Cathy equally spends her time at Merrillville, IN and Schererville, IN Sylvan locations. While Cathy has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in both reading and math tutoring. She studied at Purdue University Northwest where she obtained a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. When Cathy isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her browsing bookstores in the area.

Michael

Teacher

Michael is a teacher at Sylvan Learning of Merrillville as well as our Valparaiso location. As an Advanced Math Tutor, Michael works with high school students that are attending pre-college courses. He is adept at teaching all forms of Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus. Michael has been with Sylvan since March 2022.

Rachael

Teacher

Rachael is a math/reading tutor at Sylvan of Merrillville with a gift for working with kids. While Rachael has many tutoring talents she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She studied at Purdue University Northwest. When Rachael isn’t at tutoring, you’ll find her crafting and spending time with loved ones.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn is an elementary math and reading tutor at Sylvan of Merrillville with a gift for working with kids. While Kaitlyn has many tutoring talents she finds the greatest joy in math tutoring. She studied at Purdue University. When Kaitlyn isn’t at tutoring, you’ll find her drawing or hanging out with her 8 pets.

Ariel

Tutor

Ariel is a tutor at Sylvan of Merrillville. While Ariel has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in elementary math tutoring. She studied Special and Elementary Education at Arizona State University. When Ariel isn’t at Sylvan she is reading, solving New York Times puzzles, or going on motorcycle rides.