Certified teachers, local school know-how, and a director who reviews every student’s plan personally. These are the people your child will high-five on the way in.
Jody has been with Sylvan for over 24 years. Jody conducts conferences, assists families with their needs and ensures that our center is always upholding the Sylvan Pledge! She loves to build relationships with families and create life long partnerships. In her spare time, Jody loves to spend time with her family, attend all of her kids events, travel, and try new recipes.
Courtney has dedicated five years to Sylvan Learning, where she has served in various roles, including Tutor, Director of Education, and Center Director. With a degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University, Courtney has a strong foundation in fostering academic growth and a passion for helping students succeed. Her favorite part of working at Sylvan is collaborating with families to identify personalized strategies for meeting their educational goals. Courtney is committed to making a lasting impact in students' lives by providing tailored support every step of the way. When she's not at Sylvan, Courtney enjoys spending quality time with her son, Easton, and cheering on the Cyclones!
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!
Joe is a tutor in Ankeny, Iowa with a gift for working with kids. While Joe has many tutoring talents, he finds the greatest joy in reading tutoring. He studied at Grand View University and Drake University. Joe is a Spanish teacher at Southeast Polk! When he isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him brushing up on his Spanish skills or spending time with his fiancé and his puppy.
Heather Towne is the Administrative Assistant for Sylvan Learning of Ankeny. Outside of Sylvan, she also works as a Special Education Associate with Des Moines Public Schools. She enjoys helping families and supporting the center’s daily operations. In her free time, Heather loves watching football and cheering on her kids at their sporting events.
Jeri loves helping students grow in both math and reading at Sylvan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). Jeri brings a patient, encouraging approach to every session. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, and playing games.
C.J. is an experienced educator with a passion for teaching reading, writing, and ACT preparation. She is a graduate of Des Moines Roosevelt and holds a BA in English and Women’s Studies from Cornell College, a Master of Arts in Teaching in English Education from the University of Iowa, and an MFA in Writing and Publishing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Outside of Sylvan, she is an avid cyclist, reader, and writer.
Come meet us in person
You’ll meet the team, tour the center, and leave with a clear picture of your child’s strengths and gaps — whether or not you enroll.
