Contact Information
| New Students: | (253) 582-2229 |
| Current Families: | (253) 848-0771 |
| Fax: | (253) 845-9256 |
| 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: | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
| Sunday: | Closed |
Puyallup Sylvan
Did you know that a complete, personalized tutoring program at Sylvan costs as little as $98 per week? No long term contracts or expensive start up costs.
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
Terri Gunns
Center Director
Terri has been with Sylvan for 14 years. She graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education. In 2002, she earned a Masters of Teaching Degree from Grand Canyon University. Prior to working at Sylvan she taught junior high math and algebra.
Spending time with family is important to Terri. She enjoys activities like camping, taking walks, and watching movies with her husband, three daughters and son-in-law.
Dave Smith
Executive Director
Dave and his wife Gail have owned and operated the Puyallup Sylvan since 2001. Dave has a degree in Economics from Willamette University and has coached basketball for many years in Bellevue and Tacoma with the Boys and Girls Club and Annie Wright School. Dave and Gail have a son and daughter and two Scottie dogs named Walter and Teddy.
Sandy James
Teacher
Sandy just celebrated her 8th year anniversary at Sylvan. She works with students of all ages in math, reading, writing and study skills. Sandy has been a substitute teacher for 19 years now and has learned to relate to students and understand the struggles some students face in a school setting. Sandy has also worked in special education classes as a para-educator and a substitute teacher. “I have enjoyed working at Sylvan and I look forward to each hour and getting acquainted with new students.”
Kris Newman
Teacher
Kris earned her degree in child development at the University of California Davis campus and received her teaching credentials at Chico State University. Kris taught kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 4th grade for the next nine years at Upper Lake Elementary School in northern California. Kris has been teaching with Sylvan for seven years. She has two daughters and will soon be able to try out her child development skills on her first grandchild!
Devon Whitfeldt
Teacher
Devon graduated from Central Washington University with honors specializing in Kindergarten through 8th grade general education with an emphasis on reading instruction through 12th grade. He worked for two years in the Mojave Unified School District, in a two classroom school in the middle of the desert, helping at-risk students return to grade level standards. After returning to Washington, Devon worked as a substitute teacher in the Sumner School District. Devon joined the staff at Sylvan in 2003. He is trained in every Sylvan program, though his first loves are still the Academic Reading and Math Essentials programs.
Josh Wiley
Teacher
Josh received his teaching degree from Washington State University. After graduation he went on to teach pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. While teaching kindergarten, he began working at Sylvan and was reunited with his favorite subject, Math. Though many of his students might disagree, Josh finds math is wonderful! “My aim is to help my students succeed in math, and with hard work I believe all of them can do it!”
Bonnie Pettey
Teacher
Bonnie graduated from Western Washington University in June 2010 with her Elementary Education Bachelors Degree. Bonnie started working in day care settings when she was 18 and has been working with children in different settings in the greater Puget Sound area since. “My greatest joy when teaching is when our patience and perseverance has paid off and the child understands the concepts that we have been working on. The light and excitement that comes from their eyes is so rewarding to me!” Bonnie looks forward to continuing working with children here at the Puyallup Sylvan Center to help bring that light and excitement to more children's minds.
Lee Ann Gunnells
Teacher
My name is Lee Ann and I've been a teacher for 18 years. I've taught in the public school system as well as in the private sector. I have three awesome kids whom I've also home schooled for many years. My main love in teaching is music, but I love math and reading too. I'd love to meet you and share that with you!