Contact Information
| New Students: | (855) 377-9582 |
| Current Families: | (217) 864-1085 |
| Fax: | (217) 864-1357 |
| Monday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday: | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Saturday: | 9:00 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
Lynne Maisel
Center Director
Welcome our NEW Center Director
Lynne Maisel, a Central IL native, comes to Sylvan Learning Centers with experience in the educational system and the Decatur networking community. Lynne has worked with students, teachers and administrators in a variety of settings. She also has a strong customer service background. Lynne has a love for helping students achieve their potential.
Lynne is the mother of a 13 year old son and is active in her community. She is passionate about individualizing instruction and really making the most of the different learning styles. She is very excited to join the Sylvan team.
Dolores "Dodie" Turner
Instructor in Math, Reading and Study Skills
Dodie moved to Decatur from East Central Illinois. She was born in Ohio and lived in Florida as a child. In 1979, Dodie graduated with honors from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor's degree in Education. She has taught special education at all grade levels in Texas and Illinois, as well as elementary and high school art and design.
Her joy is shaped by watching student's eyes light up as they catch the spirit of learning through their own discoveries. Dodie strives to reach individual learners where they can best achieve success.
She and her husband enjoy spending any free time fishing, gardening, and playing with their three dogs and two cats. Their two sons and their grandchildren live in California. She enjoys keeping in touch with them via Skype. Dodie also spends her time doing skin care consultations, church volunteer activities, Zumba dance exercises and creating unique gift baskets.
An avid learner, Dodie is always seeking out new information on education. She is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, and Study Skills. Dodie is thrilled to be a part of the Sylvan team, and Sylvan is grateful for the knowledge she brings to the center.
Drue Palmer
Instructor
Drue Palmer was raised in the small farming community of Newman, Illinois. After graduating from Shiloh High School in 2005, he attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and got his bachelors degree in Speech Communications with a minor in Philosophy. Drue became a substitute teacher after college and found that he wanted to become a teacher. He recently finished a degree in Special Education with Illinois State University.
Drue is excited and pleased to join the Sylvan team, and we are equally as happy to have him!
Denise Freeman
Instructor in Math, Science, College Prep and Study Skills
Denise moved to Decatur during her sophomore year and attended MacArthur High School. Currently, Denise is a senior at Millikin University where she is majoring in Chemistry (research emphasis) with a double minor in Spanish and Applied Mathematics. She is looking forward to going on to graduate school in fall 2012.
As someone who at first did not enjoy the sciences, she has a special passion for sparking students’ interest. A quote that has stuck with her is one of Vincent van Gogh: “never cease searching.” She sees opportunities to help someone learn as ways to continue searching. In her free time, she enjoys running road races, volunteering in youth ministry, and spending time with her two dogs, Molly and Janie.
Denise is certified to teach Math Essentials, Advanced Math, Geometry, ACT Prep, Advanced Reading and Study Skills.
Ashley Major
Instructor in Math and Study Skills
Ashley's passion for children is evident every time she sits down at a table to teach. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and her students love her creativity.
Ashley is studying Early Childhood Education at Millikin University and will graduage December 2012.
Ashley has lived in Decatur her entire life and spends her free time enjoying the company of her son.
Ashley is certified to teach Math Essentials and Study Skills.
Connie Moon
Instructor in Math, Science, College Prep and Study Skills
Connie believes that ever student can learn and that it is her responsibility to find the strategy that works for eah student. She is a life long learner and wants to instill that love learning into her students, while preparing them to be productive citizens of the 21st century.
Connie holds her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. A teacher for 8 years, Connie frequently volunteered to change grade levels to see how teaching and learning flowed from one grade to the next. She is able to spot missing links in a students learning background and is able to fill those gaps.
Connie is certified to teach, Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Advanced Math, Geometry, ACT Prep, Advanced Reading, and Study Skills.
Kelly Smith
Instructor of Math, Reading and Study Skills
Mrs. Smith comes to Sylvan from a long career in teaching. She also currently works at The Lutheran School Association and brings energy and enthusiasm to her tables. Kelly is excited to be a part of the Sylvan team as she is strong supporter of teaching until the student masters the skill.