Contact Information
| Phone: | (250) 477-3212 |
| Fax: | (250) 477-3289 |
| Monday: | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 5:00 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
Penny Loome
Centre Director
I have been a teacher for twenty years and have taught all elementary grades from K through 7 here in North America, as well as in Asia, Europe and South America. I have worked extensively with gifted children, those in need of reading recovery programs, and those with specific learning differences. I am in my eighth year with Sylvan, and here in Victoria oversee the day-to-day operations of the centre including testing, teaching and school contact. My office door is always open, and I hope our clients will feel free to drop in or call if they have questions or concerns.
Angela Edwards
Director of Education
I began my career at Sylvan as an instructor and love having the opportunity to work with students of all ages in such a positive and supportive learning environment. While much of my formal training is in language development, I also love teaching math (especially Trigonometry). As Director of Education, I plan and oversee student programs and enjoy sharing student success with both parents and classroom teachers.
Jennifer Schmitz
Director of Education
I am a graduate of the elementary professional degree program at the University of Victoria. I began my career at Sylvan as an instructor and have recently been promoted to Director of Education. I specialize in elementary education and have a particular passion for working with beginning readers. I really enjoy getting to know the students at Sylvan and watching their confidence grow as they progress through their programmes here!
Mike Lander
Director of Education
I started working at Sylvan as an instructor after moving to Victoria in 2008. Before moving here, I was an elementary teacher in the Alberta and Ontario school systems. I love interacting with the students and seeing their confidence grow every day here at Sylvan. I have recently been promoted to a Director of Education position and I am looking forward to working with both students and parents to make their Sylvan experience the best it can be!
Crystal Lind
Teacher
I’ve been teaching at Sylvan (specializing in math and physics) since September 2007 – and I couldn’t be happier! Sylvan’s teaching beliefs mirror many of my own and I’ve found the staff’s unrelenting desire to help students succeed nothing less than inspiring. The teachers and students in the centre work together diligently to overcome obstacles and achieve goals they never imagined they could and I’m proud to be a part of that.
Erin Riendl
Instructor
I graduated from the University of Victoria in the spring of 2009 and as a new teacher, it is a wonderful experience to be teaching at Sylvan. I love this opportunity to get to know the students and help guide them in their learning. It is amazing to see the progress that the students make and the potential that they can achieve. I enjoy the diversity of teaching reading, writing, and math to students at our centre.
Yvonne Martignago
Teacher
Before moving to Victoria I spent sixteen years as a teacher with the Kamloops School District, teaching all elementary school grades from K through 7. I have now been a Sylvan teacher for seven years, and enjoy it because it allows me to continue working with children in an educational setting and contribute to their development and growth. I firmly believe that setting aside nightly “book time” with young children is essential to both their social and intellectual development.
Dawn McBain
Teacher
I’ve always loved teaching – from ‘playing school’ as a child through 35 years as a teacher in the public school system. Having retired a few years ago, I’m delighted to be ‘back in the zone’ teaching at Sylvan. This enjoyable and rewarding venture allows me the opportunity to help students gain confidence as they develop the skills necessary for success. The program really works, and I’m pleased to be part of the process.
Pooja Gupta
Teacher
As a Math teacher I am inspired by the uniqueness of children and challenged by the knowledge of how big a difference individual attention can make to their learning. Teaching at Sylvan allows me to enjoy that uniqueness while meeting that challenge, which is why I love working here. Sylvan’s hands-on approach increases the inter-activity of our Math lessons and reduces the stress so frequently associated with the study of this most abstract subject. My aim at Sylvan is to make math both real and accessible to my students.
Allison Derrick
Teacher
Ever since I was small I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I graduated from UVIC in 2007, and spent the following year teaching elementary school in London, England. Upon my return to Canada, I was delighted to join Sylvan. I enjoy teaching because I love the variety it brings: every day is different! I am constantly learning and taking on new challenges. I love helping children achieve success, and then watching their confidence grow.
Karen Fuller
Teacher
I joined the Sylvan teaching staff in January 2009. I recently moved to Victoria from the Kamloops area where since 2002 I had taught both as a Teacher-on-Call and as a classroom teacher. Sylvan is a great place for me to continue teaching children reading skills whether they are phonics and phonemic awareness to beginning readers, or comprehension skills to those "reading to learn". It all matters and being part of the process is important to me. My favourite moments at Sylvan are when students' faces light up as they discover a new skill - the "I get it" look!
Read each day and keep the cobwebs away!
Tom Hayward
Teacher
I pursued a future in education because I always wanted a career I could be passionate about. Here at Sylvan I am able to use that passion to help students realize their own amazing potentials. As a graduate from the University of Victoria’s Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education programs I am able to draw on a wide breadth of knowledge and approaches to teaching so I can provide students with the best learning experience possible. As a member of the Sylvan community I am excited to help students achieve success and find the intrinsic value in learning.
Gabe Bello
Teacher
I recently completed the Bachelor of Education program with a Middle Years focus from the University of Victoria. Previously, I worked at the Sylvan Centre in Kamloops for over a year before moving to Victoria in 2008. I enjoy teaching lessons in math, reading, and writing. I love the friendly, supportive atmosphere of Sylvan and am thrilled to be part of the team here. I am delighted to have the opportunity to build positive, trusting relationships with the students and to help them feel appreciated and confident in their learning.