Contact Information
| Phone: | (515) 867-8000 |
| Fax: | (515) 867-8800 |
| Monday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday: | By Appointment |
| 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
Melissa Eadon
Director of Education
Melissa graduated with an Elementary Education degree and an endorsement in Social Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. She spent a couple of years in a classroom setting and has been a full time Director of Education with Sylvan since then. Melissa and her husband enjoy spending time with their bulldog, Reggie. He was a contestant in the 2011 Beautiful Bulldog contest - and is honing his skills to take the crown next year!
Joni Kinnan
Associate Director of Education
Joni has been with Sylvan for ten years and has held a variety of positions within the company. You can find Joni nose deep in a math book, as she is our Math Guru! Or you can find her out on the instructional floor connecting with our students. In her spare time she loves to play the flute and read - that is if she is not with her two daughters, son and husband enjoying family time!
Brenda Chamberlain
Lead Instructor
Brenda has been with Sylvan for ten 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. During the day, Brenda teaches Middle School English.
Donna Egy
Instructor
Donna comes to Sylvan with many years of teaching experience! She absolutely loves to teach - and it shows through her great connection with every student. When not at Sylvan, she loves to attend Kenny Rogers' concerts!
Aimee Rivard
Instructor
Aimee is currently teaching in Waukee and is certified in Math Essentials, Sylvan Advanced Math, Academic Reading and Beginning Reading. Aimee has recently gotten married and is enjoying the married life. She has taught in Minnesota and Canada!
Jacque Dickinson
Instructor
Jacque is a graduate of Iowa State University. Her full time job is being a Head Start instructor at Drake. She enjoys being able to spend individual time teaching each student at Sylvan. While not at Sylvan she enjoys spending time with her new husband and her dog, Beau!
Jen Kunde
Instructor
Jen is a graduate of Iowa State University and currently teaches 6th grade. One of her favorite things to do is coach volleyball! Jen enjoys getting to know the students at Sylvan and teaching a variety of subjects.
Stephanie Wilson
Instructor
Stephanie returns to Sylvan after a few years off! She comes to us with many years experience both in the classroom and also on the administrative side. She currently works full time for the Waukee School District as one of their Curriculum Coordinators. In her spare time, she loves to read, walk and watch reality t.v.! When you see Steph, as her about her husband's job - it is unique!
Lindsay Bebout
Instructor
Lindsay received her undergraduate degree from Purdue and her Masters degree from Drake University. She is currently a Middle School Counselor. Lindsay is a Sylvan Certified Reading teacher and enjoys the connections and "ah ha" moments she sees in our students. She is an avid reader - and an avid jean collector!
Jai Hall
Instructor
Jai went to school at both the University of Kansas and the University of New Mexico to earn his degree. He has many years of Sylvan experience - including working at various Sylvan's in Kansas. Jai is Sylvan Certified in Reading, Math, Beginning Reading and Study Skills. Jai is originially from Kolkata, India - and he owns a goat!
Denyse Harbacheck
Instructor
Denyse is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She holds her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and her Masters from Drake University. She loves to make learning fun for students. During her time away from Sylvan she gets to play with three year olds at Children and Families of Iowa! Denyse loves Art - and has worked in three museums!
Elaine Idso
Instructor
Elaine took some time away from Sylvan and came back! She is a former Director of Education and can teach all subjects for us. During her time outside Sylvan she enjoys watching her grandkids, working at Sarah's Hallmark, substituting and working at their new restaurant! She loves to see our student's confidence grow from day to day. Elaine is a snow bird and spends the winter in Phoenix.
Amber Kaplinger
Instructor
Amber is a jack of all trades for Sylvan! She works at both the Ames Sylvan and the Urbandale Sylvan. She helps us to manage programs as well as teaching.
Julie Kosman
Instructor
Julie took a break from Sylvan, but came back a few years later. She is a math specialist and works with our upper math and homework support students. During her non Sylvan time she works at Johnston High School. She lived in Colorado Spring for seven years!
Jess Lang
Instructor
Jess is our math guru! She loves to work with high school and upper math students - and it shows! She has a background in mathematics and is currently working at Weeks Middle School. Something you don't hear very often is that Jess actually does calculus for fun!
Lindsay Snodgrass
Instructor
Lindsay has her undergraduate degree from Drake University and is now working on her Master's from East Tennessee State University. During instruction, you will find Lindsay working with students on math and homework support. Outside of Sylvan, she enjoys running and baking for her husband.
Alyssa Bedford
Teaching Assisstant
Alyssa is one of our most fun staff members! Her job is to play with the kids and ensure they have a great time while here – and she is incredibly successful. Alyssa works very hard at ensuring the teachers have their required materials and that the instructional hour goes smooth. She is a senior at Des Moines Christian and very actively involved in cheerleading. She has even taught some of our students a few cheers! You might see Alyssa dressed up in various costumes throughout the year - she loves to participate in our theme weeks!
Nick Duff
Instructor
Nick is both a teacher and a teaching assistant. When not at Sylvan Nick spends time working with ball clubs - the Iowa Cubs and most recently he went down to Kentucky to work there. He does a great job helping the teachers to prepare for the hour, and ensuring that they have the necessary materials. Nick's favorite animal? Toads!
Mikayla Mentele
Teaching Assisstant
Mikayla is a senior at Dowling Catholic High School. She spends a lot of her spare time doing homework! She also enjoys babysitting and playing softball. Mikayla does an outstanding job of keeping our center organized and running. A fun fact about Mikayala? She has a twin brother who goes to Johnston High School!
Pam White
Center Director
Pam has an Elementary Education degree from the University of Iowa. She taught elementary school for several years before starting her family. She also has a degree in cosmetology, and has experience in sales, marketing and management. Pam enjoys spending time with her 4 kids and going to all of their varied activities. When she's not cheering them on, she likes to travel, cook and is an avid reader.