Contact Information
| New Students: | (704) 853-2022 |
| Current Families: | (704) 853-3238 |
| Fax: | (704) 853-2057 |
| Monday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday: | Closed |
| Saturday: | 8:00 AM - 12:00 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
Bill James
Executive Director
Bill graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. He holds a Master's degree also from the University of South Carolina in Counseling. He is an ordained minister and is the missions pastor at his local church. He and his wife Sandie have been Sylvan owners for twenty-five years.
Sandra James
Executive Director
Sandra received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of SC in 1972. Her master's work was done at Furman University. She taught in the public school system for fifteen years, before becoming a Sylvan owner in 1986. She holds seminars for teachers and students on a variety of topics, and has taught students at the University of Beijing on the subject of Education in American Schools. She is the grandmother of five wonderful grandchildren.
Will James
Center Director
Will received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Winthrop University in 1999, and has been the Director of the Gastonia Sylvan Learning Center since 2000. He led the Gastonia Sylvan to be Sylvan's leading provider of on-line supplemental education in the nation. He has a strong, positive relationship with local principals, counselors, and teachers because of his support over the years. He is the President of Men and Women of Action of Gaston County, a first responder in disaster relief organization, and a deacon in his local church. He is married to Jenna James. They have two boys and a girl. He enjoys family time and fishing.
Rita McDaniels
Instructor
Mrs. McDaniel graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and holds state certification in Math Education. She also holds Math certification from Sylvan University. She has over 23 years of teaching experience.
Mrs. McDaniel has been an instructor since 2007, in our Gastonia Sylvan Learning Center.
Gina Halme
Instructor
Gina Halme has a Bachelor of Science in Education and her Secondary Education certification in Earth Science from Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio.
Gina has been a Sylvan instructor since 2007.
Jesse Birnstihl
Instructor
Jesse holds certification in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Language Arts, and Middle Grades Social Studies. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with highest honors. He was awarded counselor of the Year in 2007 at Stowe YMCA Camp Ohana. He has performed countless services to the community, including work with children, the elderly, adults with disabilities, animals and the environment. He is employed by Gaston County School System.
Jesse has been a Sylvan instructor since 2008.
Melissa Kiwala
Instructor
Melissa graduated from Appalachian State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math. She both teaches and coaches at Ashbrook High School.
She has been a Sylvan instructor since 2008.
Sarah Kokanovich
Instructor
Sarah graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in Human Relations and Elementary Education. She Received her Masters degree in Elementary Education from Medaille College in Buffalo, NY. She currently teaches in the Gaston County Schools and has taught GED Prep at Gaston College.
She has been a Sylvan instructor since 2009.
Sarah Burke
Instructor
Sarah holds NC State Certification from NC in the areas of Pre-K/K ADD ON and Elementary Education. She graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She is currently employed by the Gaston County School System.
She has been a Sylvan instructor since 2009.
Beth Ledford
Instructor
Beth graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1987, and holds her NC Certification, also in the area of Elementary Education.
She has been a Sylvan instructor since 2009.
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