Our Staff
Emily Smith
Center Director
Emily graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Sales and Marketing degree. She has always had a love for children and loves the role that she gets to play in our students' educational future. When not enjoying our Sylvan students, she spends time with her husband, baby daughter and yellow lab.
Jen Orchard
Director of Education
Jen has been with our center since March of 2005, starting out as a Teaching Assistant and working her way up to the Director of Education! Jen graduated from Simpson College with her Elementary Education degree and endorsements in Early Childhood, Reading and Language Arts. In her spare time, she really enjoys spending time with her friends and watching reality t.v. and planning for her upcoming April 2009 wedding!
Donna Egy
Instructor
Donna comes to Sylvan with many years of teaching experience! She absoutely loves to teach - and it shows through her great connection with every student. When not at Sylvan, she loves to attend Kenny Rogers' concerts!
Nicole Livingston
Instructor
Nicole has been a Sylvan Instructor since April 2005. She graduated from Iowa State University with specializations in English/Language Arts and Reading. When not teaching her class, or our students at Sylvan, Nicole enjoys exercising and eating anything chocolate!
Jenn Kilker
Instructor
When not teaching at Sylvan, Jenn works with pre-kindergarden students at Holy Family in Des Moines. Her favorite thing about teaching in general is seeing the studetns succeed. In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking, cooking and playing sports.
Kim Wiand
Admin and Instructor
Kim does double duty at Sylvan! She is both a teaching assistant who runs transition time and helps kids get settled into their tables and she also teaches Beginning Reading, Reading and Math! When not at Sylvan she is a substitute teacher for the area schools. She claims that she is addicted to the food network and enjoys cooking and baking!
Deb Squires
Instructor
Deb specializes in our Academic Reading program. She has a background in developing reading programs, and does a great job teaching our proven Sylvan program. She also teaches our Math Essentials and Study Skills program. Deb has once performed for the Omaha Symphony!
Jessica Hawley
Instructor
Jessica teaches Beginning Reading and Academic Reading for our Center. She comes with a background in Special Education and brings some unique ideas to our programs. When not at Sylvan, she enjoys trying to find a fish to fill her empty tank!
Elaine Paglia
Instructor
Elaine brings some great teaching experience with a background in English to our Sylvan center. She currently teaches our Academic Reading, Beginning Reading, Math Essentials, Academic Writing and Study Skills program. She makes sure to tell everyone that she is a die hard Cyclone fan!
Amy Huedepohl
Instructor
Amy comes to Sylvan with a degree from Truman State University and is currently teaching 7th grade at Urbandale Middle School. She is a trained instructor in Academic Reading, Sylvan Math Essentials and Sylvan Advanced Math.
In her spare time Amy enjoys reading fiction books, watching movies and water skiing.
Aimee Hudon
Instructor
Aimee is a new edition to our staff beginning in February. We are excited to welcome her and she will be trained in Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math and Academic Reading. Aimee has recently moved to Iowa from Minnesota. She has taught in Minnesota and Canada!
Brenda Chamberlain
Lead Instructor
Brenda has been with Sylvan for seven years and has worn many different hats during her time here. She teaches all of our subjects and is a student favorite! Brenda loves to read, scrapbook and watch tv in her spare time.
Deanne Grimm
Instructor
Deanne currently teaches 7th grade math and science. She enjoys playing and watching many sports and spends her free time with friends and family. Deanne is Sylvan Certified in Academic Reading and Sylvan Math Essentials.
Sarah Williams
Teaching Assisstant
Sarah is originally from Sioux City, Iowa and has received her B.S in Animal Science from Iowa State University. She enjoys the opportunity she has to work with the children and joins both her mother and sister, as they are currently working for Sylvan Learning Centers!
Jason Wicks
Instructor
Jason is currently a substitute teacher for the Des Moines and Urbandale school districts. He specializes in upper math. Jason is also an avid sports fan and player.
Chris Mund
Instructor
Chris graduated from Grand View College and holds his endorsements in US History, US Government and Psychology. Outside of Sylvan he enjoys playing sports and spending time with his Fiance.
Joni Kinnan
Lead Instructor
Joni has returned to us after taking a year off to spend with her new baby and son. She had previously been with Sylvan for six years and has held a variety of positions within the company. In her spare time she loves to play the flute and read - that is if she is not with her daugther, son and husband enjoying family time!
