Former Teacher Brings Sylvan Learning to Port St. Lucie Community in Florida

Rachelle Cintron, a veteran educator with 25 years of experience in the public school system, is taking a bold step into entrepreneurship by opening a Sylvan Learning location in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Together with her husband, William, Cintron is combining her deep passion for teaching with a proven educational model to provide personalized learning plans for children in their community.

“I knew I wanted to stay in education, but I wanted to take a different path outside of the public school system,” said Cintron. “I’ve always been passionate about helping children grow, and I started looking into different tutoring franchises. I was really drawn to Sylvan because of their model. They create personalized learning plans for each child, allowing you to clearly see their growth.”

Set to open in January 2025, the Sylvan Learning center will serve as a vital resource for students in the area, offering tailored programs to boost academic success and confidence. Cintron’s dedication to empowering children is at the heart of her decision to start this new venture.

Cintron recently spoke with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what she had to say.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Rachelle Cintron: I've been a teacher in the public school system for 25 years, working across all grade levels. Teaching has been my primary career for the past 25 years. Before that, I worked as an insurance agent, but my focus has been education. Specifically, for the past 10 years, I've been a math coach, which involves helping teachers improve their math instruction. That's where my professional background lies.

I knew I wanted to stay in education, but I wanted to take a different path outside of the public school system. I’ve always been passionate about helping children grow, and I started looking into different tutoring franchises. I was really drawn to Sylvan because of their model. They create personalized learning plans for each child, allowing you to clearly see their growth. That’s something that’s harder to achieve in public schools when working with large classes. With Sylvan’s individualized approach, I felt I could play a bigger role in helping kids succeed and that’s ultimately what sold me on the brand

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Cintron: Honestly, I hadn’t even thought much about franchising before this. It’s been a real eye-opener to see all the steps and aspects involved, especially since I’m starting from scratch rather than taking over an existing location.

There’s so much to it — finding a space, going through the permitting process, building out the location and then figuring out things like furniture and setup. The business side of franchising — or any business, really — has been a completely new experience for me. It’s been eye-opening and at times overwhelming, but also a big learning opportunity

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

Cintron: What excites me most is the incredible support the company provides. When I first looked into franchising, I didn’t realize how much guidance I’d receive, but now I see how essential it is. I don’t think I could navigate all the steps of starting a brand-new location without that support. My franchise business consultant has been a lifesaver — I can reach out anytime I have a problem, and they’ve helped me through every step of the process. It also excites me to think about the future of the company and how I’ll be able to help kids grow and succeed.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Cintron: My primary goal is to help kids. I didn’t go into this thinking about making a lot of money. As a teacher, I’ve never made a lot of money — it’s always been about making a living while making a difference. That said, I do want to grow and help as many kids as I can. Growth would be the icing on the cake, and if that leads to significant profits down the road, that would be wonderful. But my main focus has always been, and always will be, helping children succeed. That’s what drives me every day.

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

Cintron: The one thing I’d want you to know is how much I love helping kids. It’s incredibly rewarding for me to see that “light bulb” moment when something clicks for them. It’s not just about their academic growth — it’s about building their self-esteem and helping them realize they can achieve anything if they work hard and try. Seeing that transformation is what motivates me every day.

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

Cintron: The best advice I can give is not to be afraid to ask for help and support. Take full advantage of all the resources and support your franchise offers — it’s there for a reason. Don’t hesitate to reach out and use those tools to set yourself up for success. 

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.