Contact Information
| Phone: | (425) 392-2952 |
| Fax: | (425) 392-6697 |
| Monday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday: | Closed |
| Saturday: | 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
| Sunday: | Closed |
Meet the Tutors
Our Sylvan trained and certified tutors are dedicated to your child’s success. Working together with you, we will:
- Pinpoint your child’s learning needs using the Sylvan Skills Assessment®
- Develop a personalized learning plan based on your child’s goals
- Offer unique insights about what will work for your child
- Teach each lesson the way your child learns best
- Build a relationship with your child to provide learning that’s fun, engaging and rewarding
Brenda Atkin
Executive Director
Brenda graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Sociology. She taught for two years in Minneapolis and then moved to Seattle with her husband. She taught for five years in Washington, then decided to stay at home while actively volunteering in the schools. Brenda presides as the Executive Director of the Bellevue, Renton and Sammamish centers.
Cathy Chmielewski
Center Director
Cathy graduated from University of California Irvine with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Educational Studies. She received her teaching credential from Cal State University, Long Beach, and is also certified to teach in Washington. She joined the Irvine, CA, Sylvan as a teacher and a director, and moved to the Bellevue Sylvan a few years later; she then joined the Sammamish Sylvan. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her husband.
Teresa McBride
Associate Director of Education
Teresa graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She then earned her California teaching credential from National University. While living in Southern California, Teresa was a substitute teacher for several school districts. She relocated to Washington state and began working at the Sammamish Sylvan. During her free time Teresa likes to travel, cook, play tennis and explore the Pacific Northwest.
Tamara Davidson
Teacher
Originally from Pennsylvania, Tamara moved to the northwest in 1995. Tamara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and her Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Gonzaga University in Spokane. Tamara became a teacher because she wanted to make a difference in the world by educating children and helping them use their potential. Her favorite subject to teach is Beginning Reading. When not at Sylvan, Tamara enjoys spending time with her two young sons.
Amanda Fischer
Teacher
A native of California, Amanda graduated from WSU with degrees in English/Secondary Education and a minor in Spanish. Amanda completed her student teaching on a military base in Germany. After moving to the Seattle area, she joined Sylvan. Amanda was influenced to become a teacher by one of her high school English teachers. Her favorite subjects to teach are reading and writing. In her free time Amanda enjoys reading, traveling, sports, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
Laurie Flemer
Teacher
Laurie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona, graduating with honors. She attended graduate school in Business at Portland State University, and earned her teaching credential from the University of the Pacific. She was selected to participate in the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Science Program, and was also selected as the science representative for the district state science program. She teaches our reading, beginning reading, math and study skills programs.
James Lew
Teacher
A native of California, James graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned his Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. James began tutoring as an undergraduate, and eventually became a teaching assistant for four semesters while in grad school. He enjoys teaching all levels of math, the physical sciences and engineering. In his free time, James enjoys skiing, long-boarding, fire spinning performances and cooking.
Patty Maddock
Teacher
Patty was born in New York and later moved to the west coast to attend college. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Oregon State University and her Masters degrees in Teaching and Education from Seattle Pacific University. Patty has always wanted to help children learn to read, and is pleased to be able to do that at Sylvan. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, gardening, sewing, knitting and looking after the family’s two dogs, one cat, two guinea pigs and two frogs.
Beth Manias
Teacher
Beth graduated from Miami University with a BA in English and a minor in ESL; she received her Masters and her Washington State teaching certificate from City University in Bellevue. She then moved with her family to Munich, Germany, where she worked as an ESL and substitute teacher at the Munich International School. Upon returning to the Puget Sound area, she began substitute teaching in several local school districts. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children, reading, gardening and walking her only “problem child”: Lila, a pug.
Dave Miller
Teacher
A native of Iowa, Dave earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Media Studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and his Master's degree in Teaching at Northwest University. While at college he worked at the campus radio station as the promotions director and interned at a local radio station. Dave moved to the Puget Sound area in 2005. He coached cross-country at The Bear Creek School and was twice named "SeaTac League Coach of the Year" for cross-country. Dave enjoys seeing students mature and use the reasoning skills they learn in school as tools in everyday life. In his free time he can be found writing, swimming, hiking, biking, camping, running, or studying.
Katie Taylor
Teacher
Katie was born in Lake Stevens, grew up in Bellevue and now lives in Issaquah. She graduated from WSU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, with endorsements in elementary and special education. Katie likes being able to help students succeed and feel confident in their learning. In her free time she enjoys reading, baking and art.
Mike Thompson
Teacher
Mike attended and graduated from Washington State University; while there, he worked as a tutor in the WSU Department of Physics. He has a background in Computer Engineering, and currently works as a programmer on distributed web applications. When not teaching math, physics and SAT at Sylvan, he enjoys spending time in the outdoors, and is an avid skier and sailor. As a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle he races many different boats, including 'The Star', which is one of the oldest boats still used in the Olympics.
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