Meet Our Team

Danny Rafajko

Regional Center Director

Danny oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors. He joined the Sylvan family three years ago after 18 years as an elementary school teacher, principal, and district special education director. Danny draws from his vast knowledge and experience in K-12 education when making recommendations to new Sylvan families and creating their child’s personalized learning plans to ensure academic success. He holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from UTSA. When not at Sylvan, Danny enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and traveling.

Dan Perez is the Director of Education at Sylvan Learning of Arlington & Mansfield and leads its day-to-day operations. He is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Mathematics. He has previously worked as a Math Interventionist at Great Hearts Association for 2 years and and as a tutor at Glendale Community College in Arizona for 8 years. He had also been teaching high school math at Sylvan before taking on the director role. When not working with the students at Sylvan, Dan enjoys singing choir at church, doing origamis (paper figures) and playing volleyball.

LaShunya Sanders

Tutor

LaShunya Sanders is a STAAR Reading and English instructor for Arlington Independent School District with a gift for working with kids. Before coming to Sylvan, LaShunya taught for nine years in the Dallas Independent School District and completed her studies at The University of Mississippi and Mississippi Valley State University. LaShunya came to Sylvan to make a difference with one-on-one support for students in need of academic assistance. When LaShunya isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading and trying new foods.

Rene Garcia

Tutor

Rene is a tutor at Sylvan of Arlington and Mansfield. He has been a teacher for 8 years in Arlington ISD and 3 years substitute, interventionist, and on-campus suspension for Arlington ISD. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in University Studies with a minor in Education from UTA. He also holds a certification in Elementary K-6. Rene teaches upper math and all elementary subjects at Sylvan. When not at Sylvan, Rene enjoys watching sports, spending time with family, and hiking.

Shannon Connors

Tutor

Shannon is a tutor at Sylvan Learning of Arlington and Mansfield. She has been a teacher for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in English from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. She is certified in PreK – 8th Grade. At Sylvan, Shannon teaches ELAR and Science. When not at Sylvan, Shannon enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Dawn Wilburn

Tutor

Dawn is a tutor at Sylvan of Arlington and Mansfield with 11 years of experience in education as an infant teacher, substitute teacher, test scorer, and district math tutor. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Health Sciences. She enjoys teaching Upper-Level Math and STEM at Sylvan. When not at Sylvan, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family and spending time outdoors.

Emily Hickman

Tutor

Emily is a tutor at Sylvan of Arlington & Mansfield. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Texas at Arlington. At Sylvan, Emily teaches Upper-Level Math, SAT, and Early Literacy. When not at Sylvan, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling.

Alexxis Abad

Tutor

Alexxis is a Tutor at Sylvan of Arlington & Mansfield. Alexxis has been an elementary school substitute teacher and tutor for 3 years. She holds a BS in English from Texas A&M University and enjoys teaching Early Literacy at Sylvan. When not at Sylvan, Alexxis enjoys spending time with family and playing with her cat.

Mercedes Jaramillo

Tutor

Mercedes is a Tutor at Sylvan of Arlington & Mansfield. She holds a BS in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington. At Sylvan, Mercedes enjoys teaching Early Literacy, Reading, and Writing. When not at Sylvan, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

Shenna Davis

Tutor

Shenna is a tutor for Sylvan of Arlington and Mansfield. She has been a math teacher for 25 years. Shenna has taught at Dallas County Juvenile Justice Charter Schools (Academy for Academic Excellence) for 24 years, where she was the 2023 Campus and District Teacher of the Year. She holds an AA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tyler Junior College and a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Child Development from The University of North Texas. Shenna is certified in Special Education and Math (4-8). When not at Sylvan, she enjoys watching the ID Channel, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Tonia Walker is a graduate of Texas A & M University-College Station and University of North Texas-Denton with degrees in Psychology and Educational Leadership. She has experience in education as a teacher, school principal, district-level administrator, and college adjunct professor. Her certifications: Reading/Language Arts, English as a Second Language (ESL), Psychology, Mid-Management/Principalship, and an endorsement in Gifted/Talented. She enjoys supporting students’ reading, writing, thinking, and organizational skills at Sylvan Learning. When not working with the students at Sylvan, Dr. Tonia enjoys attending classes at Dallas Theological Seminary, teaching new member classes at her church, doing voice-over/voice-acting projects, and spending time with family.

Laura Flores

Tutor

Laura has 7 years experience in assisting and educating in Arlington ISD through Special Education, assisting in teaching all 4 core subjects . Laura holds certifications in Crisis Prevention Intervention, Texas Behavioral Support Initiative, and Educational Aide II. She loves when that spark of joy and pride lights as a student’s understanding clicks in their mind, there is a difference in doing the work, and knowing how to do the work when at Sylvan. When not working with the students at Sylvan, Laura enjoys Cosmetic art (costume/inspo makeup), making music, bass fishing, gardening, and making memories with my husband and children.

Linda James graduated from UT Arlington with a degree in English/Education. With 29 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she holds certifications in Reading, Elementary 1-6, and ESL. She has a wonderful husband and a daughter who recently graduated from UNT Dallas with a degree in Business. Linda enjoys the relaxed working atmosphere and the students at Sylvan. In her free time, she loves reading, completing puzzles and crosswords, walking, and spending time with family and friends.

Brett Lynch is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. He has 16 years experience in education. Brett holds certifications in Science and Special Education. He loves watching kids pursue their futures and grow at Sylvan. When not working he enjoys baseball and always roots for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Amy Jurchisin is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Elementary Music Education. She has 26 years experience in teaching reading, math, and music to elementary students. She has 2 years tutoring experience with Sylvan. Amy holds teaching certifications in Elementary Education and Elementary Music Education and has a supplemental certification in ESL. She loves seeing the students learn and grow. She enjoys building relationships with the students, and staff that she works with at Sylvan. When not working with students at Sylvan, Amy enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, reading, and spending time with family.

Nyia Draper is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in education. She has 3 years total experience working as a paraprofessional and an elementary school teacher. Nyia holds certifications in teaching EC-6 and ESL. She loves seeing the growth of students she works with at Sylvan by aiding to fill in the gaps using the program. She has been working at Sylvan for 2 years. When not working with the students at Sylvan, Nyia enjoys singing, cooking, and being with her family including her dog, Blu.

Beverly Sullivan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a minor in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus in reading. Recently retired after 23 years of teaching in Arlington ISD, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.