Celebrating 25 Years: Denise Tompkins Reflects on Her Sylvan Learning Journey

This year marks a milestone for Denise Tompkins and her Sylvan Learning Center in Bedford, New Hampshire, as the location celebrates 25 years of shaping young minds and supporting families in the community. Tompkin’s journey with Sylvan Learning began in 1999, driven by her passion for education and a desire to make a difference outside the public school system.

"I didn’t want to leave education altogether," Tompkins said. "I just wanted a change from teaching in the public school system." After teaching for four years in an inner-city classroom and navigating the challenges of at-risk education, Tompkins partnered with her father and a family friend to purchase three Sylvan Learning franchises in New Hampshire. Over the years, the Bedford center became a cornerstone for personalized learning and student success.

Reflecting on her time with Sylvan, Tompkins credits her longevity to her commitment to her students and their families. "The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing the long-term impact on the kids and families we’ve worked with," she said. "I often hear from parents years later, sharing that their children are now thriving in high school, college or beyond." These moments, along with countless referrals and return visits from former students, serve as a testament to the center’s positive impact.

Tompkin’s dedication extends beyond academics, as she has tailored her center to meet the unique needs of her community. For years, she’s offered a college prep program, providing personalized guidance on essays and applications — something she began long before it became a corporate initiative.

As Tompkins and her team celebrate this milestone, they’re looking forward to the future with a focus on staying true to their values. "It’s not about luxury or expansion — it’s about staying true to what we love doing and making a difference," she said. For Tompkins, that difference lies in knowing each family personally, being a constant presence in the center, and continuing to help students succeed.

Tompkins plans to host a summer celebration to honor the center’s 25th anniversary with her staff and students. "This milestone is a testament to the relationships we’ve built and the lives we’ve touched,” she said. “It’s not about luxury or expansion — it’s about staying true to what we love doing and making a difference."

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Tompkins to discuss her 25-year journey with Sylvan Learning, along with the milestones and challenges she encountered along the way. Here’s what she had to say.

1851 Franchise: Can you tell us about your professional background before opening Sylvan Learning in Bedford and what led you to pursue this journey?  

Denise Tompkins: I started my education at the University of Rhode Island and later transferred to the University of New Hampshire to complete a combined undergrad-to-master’s program in education. My master’s degree is in elementary education. During my internship, I worked in Lawrence, Massachusetts, specializing in at-risk and inner-city schools. I taught in a fourth-grade inclusion classroom, which combined special education and regular education students — something not as common back then.

After four years of teaching, I found myself frustrated with the system, particularly the emphasis on “test prep” for the state-mandated MCAS [Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System] exams. Many of the students were well below grade level, and English was often their second language. Despite my love for special education and the kids, the curriculum challenges led me to consider other opportunities.

A family friend who was connected to Doug Becker, one of Sylvan’s founders, approached me about running Sylvan franchises. After exploring the idea, we formed a three-way partnership between myself, the family friend and my father, who was the COO of New Balance at the time. Together, we purchased three Sylvan franchises in Concord, Manchester and Meredith, New Hampshire.

1851: What initially drew you to Sylvan Learning, and how did you know it was the right fit for your goals and community?  

Tompkins: What stood out to me was Sylvan’s focus on meeting kids where they are and helping them fill in their specific learning gaps. Unlike the public school system, Sylvan allowed me to work with children individually and create realistic expectations based on their abilities.

I didn’t want to leave education entirely, but I needed a break from the limitations of the public school system. Sylvan offered a way to stay in education while pursuing my passion for helping children succeed.

1851: Reflecting on the past 25 years, what have been the most significant milestones or achievements for your Sylvan Learning Center?  

Tompkins: Staying open for 25 years is an achievement in itself. We’ve weathered economic downturns, a pandemic and changes in ownership at Sylvan’s corporate level. When the economy crashed about eight years into owning the business, we had to downsize from three locations to two and adapt by combining our Manchester and Concord centers.

The No Child Left Behind funding helped us during tough times, and when COVID hit, we relied on state funding and PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] loans to keep going. Despite these challenges, I’m proud to say we’ve maintained a strong presence in the community and built lasting relationships with families.

1851: How has your Sylvan location positively impacted the lives of children and families in Bedford over the years? Are there any standout success stories you’d like to share?  

Tompkins: The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing the long-term impact on the kids and families we’ve worked with. I often hear from parents years later, sharing that their children are now thriving in high school, college or beyond.

One of my favorite aspects is the referrals — we often have siblings of past students or friends of families returning to us. It’s amazing to see a child I worked with in second grade coming back for SAT prep or hearing about their acceptance into college.

1851: What sets your Sylvan Learning Center apart? Are there unique programs, staff, or initiatives that have made it special?  

Tompkins: One unique initiative is our college prep program. While Sylvan introduced its version recently, I’ve been doing college prep — including essay help and application guidance — for 20 years.

We’ve also adapted to the needs of our community by incorporating homework support, something Sylvan initially didn’t focus on. Being in the area for so long, we’ve developed a strong understanding of local schools, curriculums and teachers, which helps us better serve our students.

1851: How have you and your team evolved your approach to education to meet changing needs, particularly in areas like technology or curriculum?  

Tompkins: We’ve embraced changes, like incorporating technology into our programs and adapting to state-run funding opportunities during economic downturns. COVID forced us to rethink how we operated, moving to online learning temporarily and adjusting to reduced capacity.

Staying flexible and responsive to community needs has been critical, and I’ve worked hard to keep our center running smoothly while maintaining a personal connection with each family.

1851: What are some of the most memorable moments or challenges you’ve experienced as a franchisee, and how have those shaped your journey?  

Tompkins: Managing three centers in my 20s was a challenge, but it taught me a lot about running a business. Downsizing during the economic crash and navigating the uncertainty of COVID were some of the hardest moments.

On the positive side, the relationships I’ve built with families, staff and the community have made all the challenges worthwhile. I’ve had staff members stay with me for decades, and that consistency has been a big part of our success.

1851: Can you share any stories or feedback from families that highlight the impact Sylvan has had on their children’s lives?  

Tompkins: Families often share their gratitude for the role we’ve played in their children’s success. One standout moment was when a student I worked with in elementary school came back years later for SAT prep and told me they had been accepted to multiple top-choice colleges.

Hearing these stories and knowing that what we did made a difference is the most fulfilling part of my job.

1851: As you celebrate this incredible milestone, what do you see for the future of your Sylvan Learning Center in Bedford? Are there any new initiatives or plans on the horizon?  

Tompkins: The next few years will be a transition as Sylvan adapts under new ownership. My goal is to continue doing what we do well while integrating any positive changes the new leadership brings.

I’m not interested in expanding significantly but want to keep providing personalized, high-quality support to our families.

1851: What does this 25-year anniversary mean to you personally, and how do you plan to celebrate with your community, staff and students?  

The anniversary feels surreal — it crept up on me quickly! We plan to celebrate this summer with staff and a few activities for the students. I’m incredibly grateful for my long-time staff — many of whom have been with me for decades — and for the families who’ve supported us.

This milestone is a testament to the relationships we’ve built and the lives we’ve touched. It’s not about luxury or expansion — it’s about staying true to what we love doing and making a difference.

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.