Celebrating One Year of Impact: How This Sylvan Learning Is Changing Lives in Glenville, New York

Audrey Waterfield is celebrating the first anniversary of her Sylvan Learning in Glenville, New York, and the difference it’s made in the community is clear. Purchased in March 2024, the center opened later that year in August and has since helped students improve their skills and gain confidence while providing a place where kids feel supported and motivated to learn. This is the second location for Audrey and her husband, John; their first center in Wilton, New York, opened in 2022.

What makes the Waterfields’ Sylvan centers stand out is their strong connection to the community. She and her husband both grew up in the area, and their children go to the same schools as many of their students. This local connection helps them relate to the families they serve and create a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable. Their focus isn’t just on helping kids do better in school, it’s about boosting their confidence and helping them feel good about learning.

Audrey’s approach to teaching is hands-on and engaging. She’s introduced innovative ideas like whiteboard tables that make learning interactive and fun. She’s also planning to bring in new programs through Snapology, combining education with Lego robotics and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities. As they celebrate one year in Glenville, the Waterfields are excited to continue growing their impact and helping more students succeed.

1851 Franchise spoke to Audrey about her franchise journey with Sylvan Learning and her one-year milestone in Glenville. 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?

Audrey Waterfield: My husband and I have both been working for Sylvan for years. It's been about 10 years for me and John started soon after. We both have our teaching degrees in secondary social studies. We both intended to go on and teach at schools, but it was very difficult for us to find a position. There were a lot of teachers when we graduated with our degrees, and we were looking for something to do to keep our resume up to date. And we both ended up starting to work for Sylvan as teachers. 

Shortly after that, I really discovered how much I loved it and how much Sylvan was helping the kids I was working with. A middle management position opened up, so I took that. Then I moved into a center director position, running a center for another franchisee for about five years. Unfortunately, he very suddenly passed away in 2022. Instead of working for the new owner, my husband and I decided to open our own center.
 

1851: What was your perception of franchising before you started? What do you want people to know about it now that you’re in it? 

Audrey: Before I started, I thought it was an easy way to kind of get a foothold into the business community without having to start from scratch, and my experience with the company made it so that I would already have a leg up. I was thinking it was going to really be pretty easy for us to do this, but it was much more challenging than we thought. There are a lot of things that go along with running a business that are very different from being a good teacher. 

We're both teachers — we don't have business degrees. I would recommend people be aware that there's a lot of small, intricate steps that franchise owners have to take in order to make sure that they are compliant with their franchisor. It's still very rewarding owning your own business, even if it's part of a much larger organization.  

1851: What have been some of the most significant achievements or milestones you've reached as a franchisee?

Audrey: In 2022 we opened our first location, and in 2024 our second location opened, so we now have two within the capital region. Expanding to help serve more kids in our area was, I think, one of the best things that we experienced. 

On a more personal note, one of the most impactful milestones has been seeing the educational progress of our students. In schools, there's a program called Academic Intervention Services (AIS), which provides additional support to students who need it. Three times in the past two years, students who were working with us were informed that they no longer qualified for AIS. While that might sound negative, it's actually a remarkable achievement because it means they're testing well enough to no longer need extra support.

Hearing a student say, “I don’t have to leave my class for special help anymore,” is incredibly rewarding. It’s one of the most uplifting experiences I've had as a franchisee.

1851: How would you say that Sylvan has positively impacted the children and families in your community?

Audrey: In addition to our center, Sylvan Learning secured the contract for New York state funding, which has allowed several schools to utilize our services during the school day. This means we’re able to support not only the students whose parents bring them to us but also those who might not have been able to access our programs otherwise. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the benefits of the Sylvan program reach more kids who need it.

The program is designed to help students improve their skills, whether it’s reading, writing or math, and that in itself is valuable. But what’s often overlooked is the impact of personalized instruction in an environment where class sizes are typically quite large. Sylvan provides one-on-one attention while keeping students in a social, collaborative setting.

Unlike traditional tutoring, where kids may feel isolated or singled out, Sylvan offers a supportive space where they’re surrounded by peers who are also working toward their goals. This helps destigmatize the idea of getting extra help. There’s nothing wrong with seeking additional support — it only leads to positive outcomes.

1851: What would you say sets your center and your staff apart? Are there any unique programs or initiatives that have contributed to your success?

Audrey: One of the things that sets us apart is our deep connection to the community. My husband, John, and I both grew up in this area and graduated from schools within the community we now serve. Our own children attend the same schools as many of our students, which creates a genuine community-based atmosphere. We understand the educational landscape here, and that familiarity allows us to better connect with the students and their families.

We also place a strong emphasis on modeling instruction in real time. To enhance this approach, we invested in whiteboard tables for our two new centers. These tables allow students to write directly on them with dry-erase markers, making learning more interactive and visual. Whether it’s solving a math problem or practicing spelling words, students can engage with the material in a hands-on way.

It might seem like a small detail, but kids love the novelty of writing on the tables without getting in trouble. It creates an engaging learning environment that keeps them excited and motivated. It’s just one of the ways we make learning fun while ensuring they receive the personalized instruction they need.

1851: As we celebrate the first anniversary of your Glenville center, how do you see the future of your center and the brand overall?

Audrey: In addition to opening our second location, my husband John and I recently expanded by purchasing a second franchise license from Snapology, another brand under the Unleashed Brands umbrella. Snapology focuses on Lego robotics and STEAM enrichment, and we're excited about creating a unique Sylvan class that combines both brands. 

While we don’t plan on opening a third location anytime soon, we're focused on building up these two centers and expanding our reach within the community. We want to partner with local organizations like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs to bring our services to kids who might not be able to come to our centers. By collaborating with community locations, we can reach more students where they already are, making our programs even more accessible. That’s the next step for us — expanding our impact beyond our physical centers and into the community.
 

1851: What advice would you offer prospective franchisees who are considering joining Sylvan?
 

Audrey: It’s important to understand that this is not a one-person show. Trying to do it all on your own is incredibly challenging, especially if you’re starting a new location from scratch. I strongly recommend finding a support system, whether that means connecting with an existing franchisee nearby or having a business partner.

For us, doing this as a team made all the difference. If my husband and I hadn’t been in it together, starting and growing these two centers would have been much more difficult. Building a brand-new location is a completely different experience than purchasing an existing one. It requires a lot of time, energy and resources.

You can’t do it alone. You need a network of support to avoid burning out before you even get started. Whether it’s leaning on other franchisees or working alongside a partner, having that support system is essential 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, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. The platform was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable franchise brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit UnleashedBrands.com.