Contact Information
| New Students: | 1-888-338-2283 |
| Current Families: | (870) 932-4494 |
| Fax: | (870) 932-4490 |
| Monday: | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM |
| Tuesday: | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday: | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM |
| Thursday: | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM |
| Friday: | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Saturday: | 8:00 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
Ashley Hill
Center Director
Ashley began teaching at the Jonesboro Sylvan in early 2003 and was quickly promoted to Progress Manager, Director of Education, and most recently, Center Director. Ashley holds a teaching degree from Hendrix College and taught in the elementary classroom prior to joining the Jonesboro Sylvan team. She and her husband, Brian, have one son, Nate.
Ashley believes every child can learn if taught in the right way. One of her favorite educational philosophies is, "As your island of knowledge grows, so does your shoreline of wonder."
Nyssa Chiavacci
Director of Education
Nyssa Chiavacci began working at the Sylvan Learning Center in Jonesboro in August of 2008 as a part-time instructor, and three months later she was promoted to the position of Director of Education.
Nyssa has a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and a Master's Degree in Science Education from The Pennsylvania State University. She recently moved to Jonesboro from Pennsylvania and is enjoying the Natural State with her husband and cat. As the Director of Education, Nyssa is able to share her love of learning and teaching with the students and their families and she is able to belong to a very wonderful family – the Jonesboro Sylvan family.
Jill Swift
Regional Director
Jill Swift began working at the Sylvan Learning Center in Jonesboro when the center first opened its doors in 2003. She began as the Director of Education and was quickly promoted to Center Director. In 2004 she was again promoted to Regional Director.
Jill has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education/Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. She has five years of classroom experience and five years of counseling experience. Jill loves teaching children and watching them as the light bulbs of knowledge turn on. Children with special needs either mental, physical or education all hold a special place in her heart.
Gina Montgomery
Instructor
Gina is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, and Math Essentials.
Gina has her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Elementary Education from Arkansas State University. She also has her Gifted and Talented Certification.
"I can't think of anything I’d rather do than teach. I love working with kids and I love to watch them learn!"
Mandi Pickering
Instructor
Mandi is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Academic Writing, and Study Skills.
Mandi graduated from Arkansas State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is beginning her fourth year of teaching first grade.
"My parents always knew I would be a teacher - and they were right. I LOVE my job!"
Donna Shannon
Instructor
Donna is Sylvan Certified to teach Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, and Study Skills. Donna also takes on the challenge of helping our upper level homework support students.
Donna earned her degree in Electrical Engineering. She was an officer in the Air Force and has taught 8-12 grade math.
Donna REALLY loves to teach math!
Becca Craft
Instructor
Becca is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, Study Skills, and Academic Writing. Becca also takes on the challenge of helping our upper level homework support students.
Marla Fergus
Instructor
Marla is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, and Math Essentials.
Marla graduated from Arkansas State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Science Education. She has taught for over twenty-two years, teaching kindergarten through fifth grade. Marla enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.
"Working at Sylvan has been a positive experience. It is very rewarding to be able to help students."
Shatavia R.
Instructor, Test Administrator
Shatavia is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, and Study Skills. She is also one of our Sylvan Certified Test Administrators.
Roseann Askeland
Instructor
Roseann is Sylvan Certified to teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Advanced Reading, Math Essentials, Academic Writing, and Study Skills.
Roseann has been teaching for 23 years. She has spent 17 years teaching 7th-9th grade Social Studies to students at MacArthur Jr. High. Her favorite subjects to teach include World History and Arkansas History. She has taught at Sylvan for six years and has enjoyed the opportunity to work with students of all ages.
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." Henry Brooks Adams
Angela Banker
Instructor
Angela graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has four years experience in the classroom teaching kindergarten and first grade. After teaching at Sylvan, Angela has realized that she loves working with children of all ages.
“Sylvan has been a great experience for me and I am glad I get to be a part of the children's time here!”
Kylie Wickerham
Instructor
Kylie is Sylvan Certified to teach Academic Reading, Math Essentials, and Study Skills.
Kylie has her Bachelor's degree from ASU in Political Science. She is starting her second year of teaching at Buffalo Island Central Jr. High where she teaches Special Education and Home-Economics. In her spare time, Kylie enjoys reading anything related to American history, cooking, fishing, and antiquing.
"I have been working at Sylvan for a year and absolutely love it! Sylvan has fabulous students and great teachers! You couldn't ask for a better place to work!"
In Memorium, Jill Acre 1954 - 2009
Instructor, Test Administrator
The Jonesboro Sylvan family wishes to keep our "Mama Jill" in our hearts and actions daily by continuing to bring her light, love, and enthusiasm to every child every day. We will always love and remember her and are grateful for the time she dedicated to her Sylvan family. “Sylvan is my second family. I love what it does for students educationally, mentally and socially.” ~Jill Acre
©2009 Sylvan Learning. All rights reserved.
