Celebrating 20 Years of Sylvan Learning in Coventry, Rhode Island

The Sylvan Learning in Coventry, Rhode Island, is marking a significant milestone — its 20th anniversary. Franchise owner Rebecca Johnson, who has been with Sylvan for over two decades, reflects on her journey from part-time teacher to franchise owner, the challenges she faced and the support system that has helped her succeed.

Johnson’s career with Sylvan began in 2000, when she took a part-time teaching job at the Cumberland center. With limited opportunities for classroom teaching at the time, she quickly fell in love with Sylvan’s personalized approach to education. Over the years, she worked her way up to center director, eventually leading the Coventry center when it opened. In 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic, she purchased both the Cumberland and Coventry centers.

Despite the timing of her purchase, Johnson credits Sylvan’s corporate office with providing the support she needed to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. The franchise quickly transitioned to virtual learning, allowing students to continue receiving educational support during uncertain times. Johnson’s dedication to her students and community has remained steadfast, and she continues to expand Sylvan’s impact through local school partnerships and summer learning programs.

Through it all, Johnson has had unwavering support from her husband, Matthew, who has been a vital part of her journey. From helping set up the Coventry center from scratch to supporting her long work hours, Matthew has played an integral role in the success of their business.

As she looks ahead, Johnson remains committed to Sylvan’s mission, ensuring Rhode Island students have access to quality educational support for years to come.

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Johnson to discuss her two-decade tenure with Sylvan Learning and the success of her Rhode Island learning centers. Here’s what she had to say.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising with Sylvan Learning?

Rebecca Johnson: [My husband] Matthew has always been my biggest champion. We grew up in Burrillville, Rhode Island, and I went to school to become a teacher. After graduating in May 2000, I started working part-time at the Sylvan Learning Center in Cumberland, which is one of the centers we now own. At the time, there were no teaching jobs available, so I substituted while working at Sylvan. I quickly fell in love with the personalized approach to education and the progress I saw in students. In the classroom, I felt like I was making a difference, but it wasn’t enough. At Sylvan, I knew I was truly helping students in a way that mattered.

I started as a teacher, then moved up to education director and eventually became a center director. About three years in, my franchisee, Gail [Tuominen], wanted to open a location in Coventry and I was chosen to lead it. That’s when Matthew came into the picture — he helped set up the Coventry center from the ground up. I ran the center for Gail while also helping out in Cumberland. In 2019, about eight months before COVID hit, I purchased both centers. It was a tough time, but Sylvan Corporate was an incredible support system. We transitioned to virtual learning within days, and thanks to our strong foundation, we managed to thrive despite the challenges.

1851: What made you pick Sylvan Learning? What excites you most about this company?

Johnson: Like many new teachers, I graduated thinking, "Great, I have my degree. Now, how do I actually educate?" I took a part-time job at Sylvan to get through the summer, planning to move into a classroom role, but I quickly realized Sylvan was where I was meant to be. The ability to work closely with parents and students and see real progress was life-changing. I had parents who would schedule their kids’ sessions around my availability because they trusted me that much.

The impact we have on families is incredible. We get invited to graduations and receive heartfelt notes from parents telling us their children wouldn’t be where they are without us. Seeing students go from struggling to succeeding is what keeps me passionate about this work.

1851: Any celebration plans for the 20th anniversary of the Coventry center? Did you guys celebrate Cumberland’s anniversary last year?

Johnson: Last year, we celebrated Cumberland’s anniversary, but Coventry’s kind of slid under the radar. I didn’t even realize it had been 20 years! We’ll definitely need to do something to mark the milestone.

1851: What are some of your proudest achievements during your time with Sylvan? Can you describe some of the ways that you’ve helped students in Rhode Island? Any success stories you’d like to share?

Johnson: One of my proudest moments was helping students who thought they wouldn’t graduate. We work closely with schools to ensure these kids get the support they need. I’ve had students receive full scholarships to MIT and Brown, which are huge accomplishments. When I get an email from a parent saying, "My daughter just got a full ride to Brown," it’s the best feeling in the world.

One of my favorite success stories involves a student who started with basic algebra tutoring. Over time, he kept coming back, even when he didn’t need as much help. One day, he proudly told his tutor, "I got a 98 on my geometry test." Another student asked, "Then why are you even here?" His response was, "Getting good grades is addicting." That moment has stuck with me — it’s proof that learning and success can be contagious.

1851: What is it that sets the Coventry center and its staff apart from the crowd?

Johnson: Coventry is a tight-knit community. The students come from all over, often traveling long distances, which fosters a strong sense of connection. We also have an amazing response from local teachers and principals. There’s just something about Coventry — it feels like a true community, with schools and families working closely together.

1851: What do you see in your future with Sylvan? Any plans for growth or expansion? Any exciting programs or initiatives on the horizon?

Johnson: We’ve run a free summer learning program with a local city, partnering with schools to provide additional support. We’re stepping back this year, but we’ll bring it back next year. Our goal is to work more directly with schools to reach students where they are. We’ve considered opening a satellite location, but for now, we’re focused on expanding our impact within existing communities.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Johnson: Take your vitamins! It’s hard work, with long days and sleepless nights. You need a strong support system — I’m lucky to have a husband who takes care of things at home when I’m working 14-hour days. But despite the challenges, there’s nothing better than working for yourself. This was the logical next step for me, and I’ve never been happier. If you’re passionate about something, go for it. There’s no better feeling than owning and operating something you love.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Johnson: Buying the franchise was the biggest achievement of my career. After working at Sylvan for 20 years, being able to own it felt like the natural next step. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew I couldn’t walk away from this. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that I have 20 staff members relying on me to keep things running.

Also, family is everything to me. We love traveling and we’ve made it our mission to visit every state. Our son has already been to 27, and we’ll hit 30 this year. Outside of Sylvan, we’re deeply involved in the community, sponsoring local teams and supporting kids in every way we can. It’s all about making a difference — both inside and outside the learning center.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING

With more than 45 years of experience and more than 710 points of presence, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE — STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep — college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey.  For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.

ABOUT UNLEASHED BRANDS

Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Sylvan Learning and was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable brands that help kids learn, play and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform and know-how for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every kid by providing fun, engaging and inspiring experiences that help them become who they are destined to be. For more information, please visit www.unleashedbrands.com.