Longtime educator takes on owner’s role at local Sylvan Learning Center

kgravelle@ricentral.com

COVENTRY — Rebecca Johnson knew when she was in first grade that she wanted to work in the education field. And today, as she takes over ownership of the Cumberland and Coventry Sylvan Learning locations more than 30 years later, Johnson is sure that she’s exactly where she was always supposed to be. 

“I worked at Sylvan for a year after spending four years in college and felt like, ‘I got this. This is what I was meant to do,’” Johnson said Tuesday, sitting in the Coventry office where she once sat as director, but now sits as the franchise owner. 

After nearly 20 years working for the learning center, Johnson, who grew up in Burrillville and currently lives with her husband and son in Sterling, Conn., officially purchased the franchise from Gail Tuominen last month.

As Sylvan Learning rings in its 40th year nationally, the Rhode Island center is also celebrating a milestone anniversary. Opened by Tuominen 20 years ago this month, the Cumberland and Coventry centers have since facilitated the tutoring of thousands of area children, with each currently serving around 30 students.

And while her title has changed, Johnson’s overall goal for the future of her Sylvan Learning franchise hasn’t wandered from what it’s been all along: to help as many students as possible to find success.

Johnson has been involved with Sylvan since she graduated from Rhode Island College in 2000 with a pair of bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and psychology. 

Despite having always imagined herself working in a traditional school setting, Johnson said she was drawn instantly upon being hired as a teacher at Sylvan to the center’s personalized tutoring model.  

“Even when I was student teaching in Providence, it was phenomenal, but I just felt like I could never do enough to help all 25 kids,” she said.

But working at Sylvan, where an emphasis is placed on individual learning outcomes through tailored lessons, Johnson appreciated that she could actually witness the difference she was making for each of her students.

“And I know it’s different, because we have the time and their parents are bringing them just so we can do what we do,” she added. “But what we do is just so rewarding.”

She added that it’s been helpful for her to hear feedback directly from parents.

“I’m a teacher,” she said, “and that’s what we need.”

Johnson worked her way up at the learning center, starting as a teacher at Sylvan of Cumberland before becoming the center’s director of education.

Then, when Sylvan of Coventry opened in 2005, Johnson was appointed its center director, and has been at the helm of the Coventry center ever since.

“I opened this place,” Johnson said, reflecting on the history of the Sylvan center in Coventry. “I unpacked the boxes and put the furniture together myself.”

Without a higher position to aspire to, however, Johnson said she’d always wondered about her next step. So when Tuominen, who had worked mostly at the Cumberland center, announced her intent to retire, Johnson saw an opportunity.  

“That was the next logical step,” Johnson said, thinking back on her decision to purchase the franchise. “We’ve always discussed that as an option—whether it’s just the Coventry office, because it’s my baby, or whether it’s all the Sylvan centers in the area.”

And with her husband’s encouragement, she went for it. 

The transition from Coventry’s center director to owner of the franchise has gone fairly seamlessly, Johnson said, adding that Tuominen has been a big help as she’s eased her way into retirement.

Still, Johnson added, Tuominen’s absence will be noticed.

“She was hands-on and played a big role in the center,” Johnson said, adding that one of her biggest tasks over the last few months has been getting to know the Cumberland students and their families. 

As for being in Coventry, Johnson had nothing but nice things to say about her experience over the last 14 years. 

“I love this community,” she said. “I’ve always felt very much part of the community.”

Johnson added that she’s enjoyed working and building relationships with teachers at schools in the area. 

With its strong focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), for example, Sylvan has given coding classes and free demos at nearby schools. The learning center has also offered free SAT practice tests at local high schools, including Coventry High School. 

As she steps into her role as franchise owner, Johnson added that one of her goals is to increase the center’s visibility, and improve her communication with schools to ensure they see Sylvan as a valuable resource.

Being able to work closely with area schools is crucial, Johnson said. 

“It’s all about the student,” she said. “We do supplemental education, and what we’re doing can supplement what they’re doing in school.”

Johnson added that although some of Sylvan’s students are college students and adults who want to improve their reading and writing, most students are in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and share the ultimate goal of “finding more success in the classroom.”

“So we reach out to classroom teachers, and we work with them,” she said. “We say, ‘we’re part of your team, tell us how we can help. Our goal is to help you help them.’”

“It’s all about making a difference,” she continued. “And one kid at a time, with every single student, you can make a difference.”