Meet Our Team

Lynn Hoagland, BA, MA

Executive Director/Franchisee

Lynn has been the franchise owner for the Troy and Utica, Michigan, Sylvan Learning Centers since 1985. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree with a major emphasis in reading from Oakland University. Lynn has over 15 years of classroom teaching experience in the Pontiac and Rochester school systems. She has three daughters, three sons-in-law and five beautiful grandchildren. When Lynn isn’t working, she’s travelling between Michigan, Colorado and California to visit her family. Little known fact: The true king of her household is Lynn’s Bishon, “Duncan.”

Ed Gorgen

Director of Education

Ed supports teachers and students so that everyone has what they need to make teaching and learning at Sylvan of Troy a successful experience.  A former substitute teacher, Ed brings a wealth of knowledge to his role and joined the Sylvan family in 2009.  Ed enjoys working with students of all different age groups and abilities.  He graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Sociology.  When Ed isn’t at Sylvan you’ll find him hiking, playing billiards, and watching movies.  Something cool about Ed is he owns 10 pinball machines and still adding to the collection!

Samantha has been a part of Sylvan for four years over two centers. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Cellular/Molecular Biology from Christopher Newport University (VA). She has experience in the classroom as an EFL teacher in Korea and substitute teaching in Michigan schools. In her free time, she enjoys photography and spending time with her husband and baby boy.

Haylie Tate, BA

Teacher

Haylie is a certified teacher in Troy, MI. A former guest teacher at Troy High School, Haylie brings a wealth of knowledge to Sylvan of Troy. She graduated from Oakland University, earning her B.A. in English, History, and Secondary Education. Haylie joined Sylvan Learning of Troy in the fall of 2013 and was promoted to Director in August 2014. She left us in December of 2015 to have her first son, Ethan, and then again in September of 2018 to have her second son, Owen! Haylie enjoys working at Sylvan because of the positive atmosphere! Little known fact: Haylie is very crafty and made all the bouquets at her wedding out of roses she fashioned with coffee filters!

Nancy Erle, BS

Teacher

Nancy grew up in Livonia. She attended Central Michigan University where she earned her BS in Mathematics and Secondary Education. While she enjoys teaching all subjects, Nancy is our resident math expert and loves to tutor in Study Skills and all of our higher math programs. In her free time, Nancy enjoys all kinds of art, baking, and gardening, and often brings in yummy treats for her fellow tutors! Nancy enjoys tutoring at Sylvan because she likes to prove that ALL students are capable of success with math! Little known fact: Nancy lived and taught in Hampton, VA, before moving back to MI.

Alan is a 10th grade U.S. History teacher. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and French and a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from Saginaw Valley State and Oakland University. Alan has been a part of Sylvan for a few years and enjoys birding, reading and gardening!

Hannah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University and is a current student at Wayne State. She is working on her Master’s degree in social work. Hannah is a phenomenal teacher with our beginning readers, although her favorite subject is math! Hannah enjoys the outdoors, arts/crafts and reading.