Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Altoona consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Altoona know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school.
Get to know our tutors and staff in Altoona!
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.
Crystal Widlund
Certified Teacher
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!
Bailey Hume
Certified Teacher
Bailey has been in education for 11 years teaching intervention to students in grades K-12. She attended Upper Iowa University where she earned a BA in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading, English/Language Arts, and Athletic Coaching. Bailey is going back to school to get her special education Strategist 1 endorsement. When Bailey isn’t at Sylvan or teaching, she enjoys watching her two kids play sports and traveling with her family.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (515) 957-2858 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
