Sylvan Learning of Mentor has new location, ownership
Apr. 20—Sylvan Learning of Mentor has provided tutoring options to enhance a student's academic confidence and success in school for decades.
The core values haven't changed over the years in a quest to boost the educational achievement of local students, but the center has a new modern location and is under new ownership.
Missy Fryer officially took over as the owner of Sylvan Learning of Mentor on Jan. 1. She worked at Sylvan in the early 2000s, ascending to director of education, before leaving for a career opportunity in the dental field.
After returning part-time to Sylvan in 2022, she realized she wanted to take ownership in the center and modernize it, which was one of her first orders of business.
The facility at 6270 Center St. is a state-of-the-art learning center which Fryer said adds to a student's comfort and enjoyment of the educational process.
"I actually completely revamped the center," Fryer said. "Our old center, which had been in the community for decades and where I started my journey with Sylvan, had a lease that was ending at the same time the former owner was looking to retire. I had to decide if I wanted to renew the lease, a property that was showing its age, or find a new location, which is exactly what I did."
"The new center is everything I dreamt of," Fryer added. "It's up-to-date, modern, and really fits the needs of students today. It's a new build, bright, fresh and exudes energy. The students deserve to have a fun, comfortable place to learn that they're excited to go to, and that's exactly what Sylvan Learning Mentor is."
Fryer graduated from college in 2001 with a degree in education, and she immediately found a job and a passion through Sylvan Learning. She was promoted to director of education soon after starting at Sylvan and that love for what the center stood for remained with her even as she spent 20 years in the dental industry.
"I started working at Sylvan over 20 years ago and fell in love with the concept, people and students of Mentor," Fryer said. "It's a fantastic brand and was a wonderful experience as I began my professional career.
"During my time there in the early 2000s, I could see how the students improved when they came to Sylvan and participated in a concentrated and personalized program tailored to their needs."
That remains the focus for Fryer and her team at Sylvan, who believe strongly in the individual and not a one-size-fits-all approach to tutoring.
"Teaching has always been my passion. I tutored throughout my collegiate career and was also a gymnastic and dance instructor. I truly feel I was meant to be in the education field," she said. "There has been so much turmoil in the education space because of COVID with parents and teachers alike stressed out. I wanted to go back into the education field to help parents, teachers and students."
Fryer said it is extremely important to have relationships with area schools. Sylvan currently offers families an option to contact the student's current classroom teachers to explain that the center is a resource and ask how they can best support the student in their educational journey.
Fryer said they can help go back to where the foundational issues began and connect with teachers regularly for feedback and help identify issues that need to be addressed.
"My experience working at Sylvan Mentor over 20 years ago as a teacher and director has set me up for success as the new owner," she said. "I know what support the teachers, students and parents need, and I am well equipped to provide those resources for success. I understand that in order to be successful, I have to be hands-on to help personalize the experience for each student and also see what resources the teachers need whether it's your time, materials or supplies.
"If I hadn't taught here, I wouldn't know how important it is to be in the room speaking with teachers, students and families," she added.
Fryer said Sylvan has been around for over 40 years because "it's a solid program that works." She said the staff is looking to grow and take a more active role in the community.
"I'm excited to introduce myself as the new face of Sylvan Mentor," Fryer said. "I've lived in Lake County my entire life and am looking forward to becoming more involved in the community. I'd love for families to come by and see if Sylvan can help their students."
