Meet Our Team

Breitani Turner

Director of Family of Engagement

Breitani has over 10 years of experience in education and has earned numerous degrees that include a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a Master of Education in Divergent Learning, post master’s certification in Leadership and Accountability, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I enjoy working with the families here at Sylvan and sharing those proud moments of success when parents learn about the progress their child has made in a program! In my free time I own and operate my photography business with a focus on curating eye-catching portfolios for models and actors.

Jessica Mulkins

Director of Education

Jessica joined the Sylvan team in July 2018, first as a tutor, later moving to Asst. Director of Education and then to Director of Education in March 2021. She holds a BA in special education from Columbia College. Jessica enjoys overseeing the educational integrity of our programs, as well as managing and training our team of tutors in NE Columbia. When Jessica isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Rakyra Jenkins

Administrative Assistant

Rakyra is ready to greet our families with a smile! She is currently a student enrolled at the University of South Carolina, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in medicine. Her goal is to become a child neuropsychiatrist.

Creiana Bailey

Instructor

Creiana is a first-grade teacher at Lake Carolina Elementary School, in NE Columbia, SC. Creina has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring and joined Sylvan of NE Columbia in June 2019. She studied at Winthrop University and received a degree in Early Childhood Education. When Creiana isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find Creiana shopping, reading, or spending time with her family!

Graden Trenary

Tutor

Graden Trenary is one of our dedicated math tutors. Having joined the team in the fall of 2022, Graden uses his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics to expand students’ horizons and weave a tapestry of logical connections. Graden is a kid at heart and sympathizes with his students, encouraging personal growth with both gentleness and fun. He spends his free time producing music, programming synthesizers, and writing science fiction.

Willie Simuel

Tutor

Willie is a tutor in North East Columbia, SC with a gift for analyzing and simplifying literature. She finds great joy in sharing her love of reading with others, especially young people. She studied at the University of South Carolina and recently completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Writing Concentration. She also previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. She joined the Sylvan team in March 2022. When Willie is not at Sylvan, she can be found spending time with family and friends; enjoying the outdoors; various arts and crafts; reading a good book, and writing.

Courtney Marra

Tutor

Courtney is a tutor at Sylvan of NE Columbia, SC  who loves working with our little learning-to-read students! She joined our team in October 2021. Courtney studied at Midlands Technical College receiving an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, as well certificates in Child Care and Early Care and Education. When Courtney isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her playing her guitar, reading, or spending time with her friends.

Dominic Rovelli

Tutor

Dominic is a tutor in NE Columbia with a gift for mathematics. While Dominic has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in math tutoring and joined NE Columbia in October 2021. He studied at the University of South Carolina-Columbia, receiving a major in mathematics with a minor in physics. When Dominic isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him researching topics and playing games.

Melony Stokes

Tutor

Melony is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with degrees in English and Education. She is a “native” of Columbia and has lived her whole life here. She enjoys learning different languages and hanging out with her dog.

Jean loves teaching so much that after retiring from teaching, she came to Sylvan to continue impacting the lives of students. She previously taught at North Springs Elementary School for 25 years. During that time, she earned national certification as an elementary teacher. When not helping Sylvan students, she is enjoying time with her daughter and 3 grandchildren.

Catherine Killian

Tutor

Catherine has over 20 years of classroom teaching experience. She taught high school English in Charlotte, NC; Detroit, MI; and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. She loves working with children and young adults to help them pursue their academic goals. She is a firm believer that with patience and guidance, anyone can learn!

Melissa Deloach

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Professor

Director

Melissa Deloach joined the Sylvan team in May 2019. By day she’s the Director of the Scholar’s Academy for Spartanburg County, but in the evenings and on Sundays, she manages our college prep program, including SAT/ACT prep and College Reading Strategies. Melissa holds degrees from Clemson University and Converse College. When she isn’t helping teens prepare for college either here or at the Scholar’s Academy, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Dr. Jeff French

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Professor

Dr. Jeff, as his Sylvan students call him, graduated from Furman University in 1995. He then held a variety of college-level roles as graduate student, program coordinator, and instructor for the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College while also serving as a zookeeper at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. With a focus on genetics and ecology, Dr. French finished his graduate work in biology and currently serves as Chair of Biology and Assistant Dean of Science and Math at North Greenville University. In his “free time”, he enjoys preparing students for the SAT and ACT as a LIVE, online instructor for Sylvan.

Tracy Levi

SAT/ACT - College Prep LIVE, Online Instructor

Tracy Levi holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree In civil engineering. For eleven years she served as a civil engineer in Florida, working primarily with storm water management and water quality programs. Since moving to Asheville, she has enjoyed teaching Hebrew and Judaica to religious school students and teaching reading and math at Sylvan. She also teaches SAT/ACT math through our LIVE, online classes. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys the company of her two daughters and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. She also has a passion for music and plays keyboard in a local band.