Meet Our Team

Angela Jones

Owner/Center Director

Angela Jones is the Owner and Center Director of the NEW Sylvan of Altoona. After 24 years as a Marketing/Sales/Advertising Professional, Angela chose a career in education because she is passionate about helping students succeed and excel. She studied at The University of Northern Iowa. When Angela isn’t at Sylvan, you will find her cheering on her daughter at dance competitions and traveling with her husband of 15 years.

Jaci Whitten

Director of First Impressions

Jaci is in an assistant role in Sylvan of Altoona with a gift for working with kids. While Jaci has many
administrative duties, she finds the greatest joy in assisting the center, teachers, and students
needs on a daily basis. She studied at Iowa State University for her bachelors in Kinesiology
and Health, and is working towards her doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Des Moines
University. When Jaci is not at Sylvan, you’ll find her traveling or enjoying the outdoors with her
friends and family.

Isabel Manning

Certified Teacher

Isabel recently graduated and took a position as a K-5 Intervention Teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools.  She is a lover of books, running, teaching, and being creative.  Isabel is happy to be a part of the Sylvan Learning team!

Paula Lureman

Certified Teacher

Paula has taught 40+ years in Newton and retired this past year. She missed teaching, so she sought out Sylvan to continue with her profession. Teaching children to grow as learners is her passion. Her biggest reward is seeing students’ faces when they start to make growth and build confidence. Paula lives with her husband and five dogs in Bondurant. Reading is her favorite pastime!

Morgan Page

Certified Teacher

Morgan has been teaching for the last 5 years. She attended UNI for her undergrad and she most recently graduated with her masters from Drake University. She has taught in Eddyville, Iowa, for the DMPS, and next year will teach for the Carlisle CSD. She loves to help students find their passions through learning. In her free time she loves to go on walks, runs, and to spend time with her husband and 1 year old daughter. She is excited to be at Sylvan to continue to help students grow in their learning in such a welcoming atmosphere!

Ashley Allen

Certified Teacher

Ashley is currently a Strat I Special Education Teacher at Bondurant-Farrar High School. Ashley graduated from Simpson College with both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Along with teaching, Ashley coaches softball and volleyball. When she is not teaching or coaching, she loves spending time with family and friends and watching anything sports related, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes!

Danielle O'Connor

Certified Teacher

Danielle graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Elementary Education and endorsements in TESOL (K-12), and Reading/Language Arts (K-8). Danielle teaches first grade in Des Moines Public Schools. She lives in Altoona with her fiancé, Trysten, and their dog, Teddy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, reading, and spending time with family. Danielle loves to watch her students learn and grow, and she is excited to see students progress in a unique learning atmosphere!

Leah Johnson

Certified Teacher

Leah graduated with her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Iowa State University in 2021. Since, she has worked a variety of jobs, but finds that her favorite thing to do is help people learn! From working as a kindergarten zoo camp counselor, to being a college chemistry TA, she loves teaching people about the world around them— no matter the level. In her free time you can probably find her singing along to Taylor Swift, or hanging out with her friends and her cat, Snickers! She is so excited to be a part of the team here at Sylvan!

Cali Sevier

Certified Teacher

Cali has been teaching for 4 years. She attended Graceland University for elementary education with an emphasis in special education and reading. Most recently, Cali graduated from Buena Vista University with her masters. Cali has taught at Storm Lake Elementary, Berg Middle School, and will begin teaching at Southeast Polk Middle School in the fall. During her free time, Cali enjoys spending time with her husband, Blake, and two dogs, Trixie and Tank. Cali is very excited about being at Sylvan and is eager to build relationships and see students grow!

Mary Lynn Carvour

Certified Teacher

Mary Lynn has been teaching and tutoring for 40+ years. She earned a BA from Michigan State University’s Elementary Intern Program with an emphasis in reading and fine art and was licensed to teach in grades K-8. Mary Lynn has lived in Iowa for 43 years, teaching in preschool – 8th grade.  When she is not tutoring, she loves to work/sit outdoors, read, write, travel, create learning activities, and explore interesting nature or historical sites. Her home is in Altoona with her husband, Mickey, and she is Mom to 2 grown children and Mama to 2 Cockapoos and one cat.

Jennifer Suhr

Certified Teacher

Jennifer has worked with elementary age students for 30+years in a variety of settings since graduating with her BA in Social Work from Luther College.  She directed a before & after school enrichment program for 14+years, worked as the program coordinator for Kids Café and is currently in her 7th year as a substitute teacher for Southeast Polk elementary schools.  Her favorite teaching experiences are the longterm assignments when she gets to know students well over many weeks and gets to walk alongside them as they grow and learn. Jennifer loves to learn and is excited to share her love of learning with students at Sylvan.  In her free time Jennifer loves to read, workout and scrapbook.  She lives in Altoona with her husband  Matt and has two adult children.