Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Reston consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Reston know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school.
Get to know our tutors and staff in Reston!
Florence Monkam
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Florence is responsible for designing and implementing the center’s long-term strategy and managing its business operations. After obtaining a B.S. in Mathematics and Business Administration from Howard University, and a M.S. in Statistics from Northwestern University, Florence began her career as a Quality Engineer right out of college, before transitioning to the education sector a couple of years later after becoming a mother. She then spent over a decade living in Europe where she was an adjunct math teacher at the Charles de Gaulle French Lycee in London, UK, and subsequently ran a small Math tutoring business in Geneva Switzerland. Upon moving back to the US, she now lives in the Suburbs of Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time Florence enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and traveling the world.
Cristina Schonthaler
Center Director
As a Center Director, Cristina leads all Center Sales and Marketing initiatives for Sylvan of Reston. As a former teacher with 10+ years of experience working with K-12 for FCPS, LCPS and private schools; Cristina has a passion for developing children into lifelong learners. She has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting, Minor in Education Studies, and a graduate certificate in Theatre Arts Education PK-12. When Cristina is not at Sylvan, you will find her going on adventures with her dog, Freeway, or spending time with her family and friends.
Barbara Smith
Teacher/Tutor
Barbara is an experience teacher/tutor, well versed in writing and reading curriculums.
Claudia Wood
Teacher/Tutor
Claudia tutors math, reading, writing, and SAT Prep. She oversees a non profit program for children. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Florida and her Masters from Georgia State University. She has tutored children for almost 10 years and enjoys helping children succeed. In her free time, she can likely be found either hiking or reading.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (571) 642-1297 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
