Meet Our Team

Erica Rydholm

Director

As Center Director, Erica leads community outreach and operations for Sylvan of East El Paso.
Having worked with Sylvan Learning for over 17 years, Erica chose a career in the tutoring business because she wanted to make a difference in children’s lives and loves seeing that moment when a student really gets it.  She studied at Texas Tech University and mantains an active interest in all things Red Raider. When Erica isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading books going to the theater or enjoying the El Paso Symphony.

Nicole has been serving as the Assistant Director of Sylvan El Paso East since 2023 and is proud to be part of helping students build confidence and academic success.  She has worked in tutoring professionally and privately since 2007.  She has her MA in English and specializes in working with students in reading and writing.  Her hobbies include designing and making costumes, creative writing, and playing board games.

Becky is a lifetime certified pre-K to 8^th grade teacher in Texas who taught in public school for 36 years.  She is an expert in reading and writing skills and SAT reading/writing prep at Sylvan.  Becky taught middle school social studies for many years and has a personal soft spot for the subject. She is patient and encouraging, and helps students explore all kinds of writing topics as they work to improve their skills.

Patty is a certified elementary school teacher, who has been working with Sylvan El Paso East for over 6 years as a reading and math teacher.  She has worked for over 10 years in Kinder through 2^nd grade and has over 15 years of experience as a substitute teacher. Patty loves animals especially horses and spends her spare time caring for her many animals.

A teacher for 28 years, Carol specializes in teaching elementary reading and math and was awarded BSEd Teacher of the Year.  She has been working with Sylvan El Paso East since 2010, making students feel welcome and helping them learn to read.  She also has a love of teaching elementary math. Carol supports literacy and a love of books in her work with the Friends of Schwartz Library bookstore right next door to Sylvan.

A dedicated teacher with her Bachelor’s in Education specializing in Middle School Math, Shauna has taught math at all levels but enjoys high level math the most.  Her expertise at Sylvan is working with students in middle and high school and SAT and ASVAB students.  When not at Sylvan, Shauna and her service dog Roxy can be found performing with Gilbert & Sullivan Company.

Clara has taught elementary school and bilingual students for over 23 years, specializing in language arts and Readers and Writers workshops.  She has her MA in Education, focusing on diverse learners.  Clara was awarded Teacher of the Year 1998-1999 at Myrtle Cooper Elementary school.  In her free time, she enjoys watching classic movies, reading historical biographies, and gardening.