Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Ankeny consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Ankeny 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 Ankeny!
April Samp
Owner
April Samp is the proud Co-Owner of all five Sylvan Learning of Iowa Centers. April is a graduate of Iowa State University and invested many years into the communities where she lived by covering and investigating meaningful stories as a journalist and News Director. April worked in TV News/Marketing and Advertising for 25 years at stations like WOI-TV, KGAN/KFXA, KWQC and WHO in Iowa, KCTV and WDAF in Kansas City, WAVY/WVBT in Virginia and KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. April’s love of education and everything it does for a person started very early. Both of her parents were educators. April and her son Cale live in Waukee and cheer loudly for the Cyclones and play golf whenever possible!
Bree Koester
Director
Bree oversees the educational integrity of our programs, and manages and trains our team of tutors in Ankeny. She studied Education at the University of Iowa and is a Certified Leadership Coach. She has four kids ages 8 to 17 & is working towards her Masters in Organizational Leadership at Grand View University. When Bree isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her kayaking with her husband, biking, disc golfing or traveling.
Courtney Coakley
Director
Courtney has been a substitute teacher in Urbandale, Johnston, Kansas City, and Clarksville, TN, & was also a preschool teacher on an army base in Missouri. She is excited to be back at Sylvan after a few years away. While Courtney has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading & math tutoring. She studied Elementary Education at Iowa State – Go Cyclones! When Courtney isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her spending time with her son, Easton.
Paige Hohensee
Tutor
Paige graduated from Iowa State University. Her favorite part about being a teacher at Sylvan is when tough lessons click for students and watching their confidence grow. When Paige isn’t at Sylvan you can find her spending time her her dogs, traveling, baking, or doing yoga!
Grace Rubio
Tutor
Grace is an in center instructor and an Ace it! instructor with a gift for working with kids. While Grace has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. When Grace isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, attending to her fish tanks, and writing.
Jennifer Schafer
Tutor
Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She’s owned a daycare, preschool, and is a published author. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with friends and family, listen to music, cook, and watch paranormal shows!
Jonette McQuide
Tutor
Jonette is a substitute teacher in Grimes, IA who enjoys working with awesome kids. While Jonette has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in finding ways to corporate her love for science in tutoring both reading and math. She studied Elementary and Middle level Education at Illinois State University. When Jonette isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her on some outdoor adventure with her son and Golden Retriever or snuggled on the couch with a good book or favorite movie during the cold winter months.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (515) 635-1032 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
