Meet Our Team

Cat Schwartzbeck

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Cat oversees operations at the Sylvan Learning Centers of Albany and Clifton Park. She knows the value of a high quality education and is committed to ensuring that each family has a positive experience at Sylvan. Cat returned to Sylvan after working in both public and private education as an administrator. She chose a career in the tutoring business because it provides opportunities to help students of all ages and abilities reach their full potential.  She received her Masters of Business Administration from SUNY Albany. When Cat isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her pup and enjoying the outdoors.

Carla Ronk

Director of Education

Carla is responsible for overseeing each student’s academic progress at Sylvan. She earned a Bachelor’s in English and Master’s in Secondary Education from SUNY Albany, and has been working for Sylvan since 2010. First as a teacher and now as Director of Education, Carla really enjoys working with the students and families to attain their individual goals. Our Sylvan students inspire her to continually find and refine new teaching techniques and content, plus, they often have great suggestions for new reads from the Best-Seller list.

Colleen Codden

Education Coordinator

Colleen has worked for Sylvan on and off since 2002, as a teacher and Director of Education in both Albany and Clifton Park.  She currently oversees the test scheduling and proctoring in Albany, in addition to supporting the administrative needs of the center. She has taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades at a private school. Colleen holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Sage Graduate School.

Krista Vincent

Lead Teacher

Krista started working at Sylvan during the summer of 2015. Krista holds her Master’s Degree in Childhood Education from the College of St. Rose and is certified in Childhood Education (grades 1-6), Special Education, and English Language Arts (grades 7-9). Currently, she teaches 2nd grade in Albany. Krista has really enjoyed getting to know the students at Sylvan. She loves being able to teach students in a variety of grades and see their success. In her spare time, Krista enjoys traveling, baking, and reading.
Krista tutors students in reading, math, writing, study skills, SAT/ACT prep, GED prep and prep for state tests at the Albany Sylvan Learning Center.

Elise Charlebois

Teacher

Elise has been with Sylvan since the fall of 2013. She is a State Certified Mathematics teacher and has worked for Shenendehowa School District as a math teacher.  In her spare time, Elise works at Schenectady Civic Players running lights, house managing at Capital Repertory Theatre and singing with the Clifton Park Community Chorus.

Elise tutors students at the Albany and Clifton Park Sylvan Centers in Math, Reading , Study Skills and SAT/ACT Prep.

Anna McKee

Lead Teacher

Anna has been a part of the Sylvan team since 2018.  She brings with her a positive energy and a passion for working with students. Anna’s background is in Early Childhood/Childhood Education, and she has spent the past decade working with children who range in age from infancy to 10 years old. Her current Sylvan students include a lot of “little ones,” but she thoroughly enjoys working with middle school and high school students as well! Anna tutors students at the Albany Sylvan Center in Reading, Writing, Math, and Study Skills.

Shane Ciancanelli

Teacher

Shane joined Sylvan in 2023.  He is certified in Social Studies 7-12. He currently works as a building substitute teacher in the Shenedehowa School District.  He loves being able to help students make personal connections with the material they are learning and discover ways it can be applied to the real world.
Shane tutors students at the Albany Sylvan Center in Reading, Writing, Math, Study Skills, and SAT/ACT prep.

Madhavi Sahay

Teacher

Madhavi has over 25 years of teaching experience at the middle school, high school, and undergraduate levels. She is one of our math and science experts here at Sylvan!  Madhavi seeks to spark academic interest in her students and to motivate them to make a difference in society with what they learn.  She loves seeing the smile on a student’s face when something taught is understood. In her free time, Madhavi enjoys playing Hawaiian guitar, painting, sewing, and playing Ping-Pong.
Madhavi tutors students at the Albany Sylvan Center in Math, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Reading, and SAT/ACT prep.

Patricia Clarke

Tutor

Patricia has been with Sylvan since 2022 and is certified in secondary education Social Studies. She also has fun working with our elementary students and helping them with their reading and writing. She loves working with the students and encourages their creativity as well as their curiosity in all subjects! Patricia tutors students at the Albany Sylvan center in Reading, Writing, Math, and Study Skills, and SAT/ACT Prep.

Mark Lo Giudice

Teacher

Mark has been a teacher here since 2023, and he is enthusiastic about his partnership with Sylvan. He currently holds a teaching certification in Elementary Education – with Social Studies and has worked within the Guilderland Central School District. Mark teaches students between the ages of 4-13, both in person and remotely. In partnering with Sylvan, Mark works to grow his teaching experience, by bringing out the potential of every student! Mark tutors students at the Albany Sylvan Center in Reading, Writing and Math.

Rachael Crawford

Teacher

Rachael recently returned to Sylvan after a few years away. She has over a dozen years experience teaching ELA, Social Studies, and Theatre at various schools throughout the capital district. Rachael chose to return to Sylvan because she loves the opportunity it offers to watch students learn and grow. She enjoys having the opportunity to work with many students at different levels. In her free time Rachael is also a writer with a few published stories.

Rachael tutors students at the Albany Sylvan Center in Reading, Writing, Math, Study Skills, and SAT/ACT prep.