Meet Our Team

Kiersten Payne

Director of Education

As Director of Education, Kiersten leads educational programming for Sylvan of Defiance, Bryan, Ottawa, and Wauseon. Formerly an ACT/SAT tutor and high school teacher, Kiersten most recently worked as an English teacher in South Korea before returning to the US in December of 2023. She chose a career in the tutoring business because she highly values education and wants to provide the opportunity for every student to be successful. She received her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree from Yale Divinity School. When Kiersten isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading or playing games with her family in Hicksville.

Diana Wehri

Tutor - Ottawa

Diana is a retired teacher with over 35 years of experience. While Diana has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. She received her Undergraduate from Bluffton College and her Masters from Wright State University. When Diana isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, quilting, volunteering at school, working on crafts, or in her flower garden. Diana loves that Sylvan helps students find their greatest potential.

Rylee Miller

Tutor - Defiance

Rylee is currently pursuing a degree in Middle Childhood Math and Science Education at Defiance College. When she’s not at Sylvan or in class, she also works as a substitute teacher or teacher’s aide. In her free time, Rylee likes to play guitar and piano and is involved in her church as a junior church teacher and worship leader. She also loves hanging out with her friends and catching up over coffee.

A quote from Rylee: “I love being able to work one-on-one with students and watch them progress both in their academics and their confidence. I also love being able to teach a variety of skills at different levels; it keeps things interesting!”

Abigail has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She completed four years of student teaching throughout many Fort Wayne, IN schools, and has worked at a Center for Autism. She currently works as a Paraprofessional.

A quote from Abigail: “I love working with students and helping them reach their potential!”

Madison Weller

Tutor - Defiance

Madison is currently working in 2nd and 3rd grade special education at Hicksville Elementary School. She has a bachelors in general and special education, and is a proud graduate of Ayersville High School. Madison also works as a local cheerleading coach.

Madison is the happy aunt to three boys and one girl, and has a three-year-old German Shepherd named Piper. She’s also a fan of local Defiance favorite Cabin Fever.