Celebrating 30+ Years of Sylvan Learning in San Antonio: Joan Lovin Reflects on Growth, Impact and What’s Next

Originally established in San Antonio in 1992, Sylvan Learning of San Antonio has been serving local families and helping students grow in confidence and academic ability. For Joan Lovin, the anniversary is more than a number. It’s a chance to reflect on how far the center has come and how her own journey in education has grown alongside it.

Lovin didn’t start her career in franchising or even with the intent to run a business. She was a lifelong teacher at heart, someone who knew from childhood that she wanted to work in education. But over time, through a mix of classroom teaching, leadership roles and a few surprising career turns, she found herself drawn not only to helping students but to leading the teams and systems that support them.

After moving across the country with her military husband and teaching in multiple states, Lovin eventually joined the Sylvan Learning system — first in a part-time role, then as a center director and now as a multi-unit franchisee overseeing several locations in the San Antonio area. Her leadership has helped the centers remain a trusted academic resource for families, even as education continues to evolve.

As Sylvan Learning of San Antonio celebrates more than three decades of impact, Lovin is focused on the future, staying rooted in the mission of personalized, hands-on learning while embracing new tools and technologies that support student success. And after years of hearing from families who say Sylvan Learning changed the course of their child’s education, some even returning as adults with their own kids, she’s more motivated than ever to keep going.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Joan Lovin: I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was six years old. But as I got older, I ended up working in food service and retail management, and I thought, “This is pretty interesting.” I became interested in business overall, but I still really wanted to be a teacher.

When I went to college, I tried to double-major in business and education. My advisor thought that was hilarious because those two degrees don’t go together. I couldn’t be a teacher without a teacher certification and degree, and that was what I always wanted to do.

On the business side, I knew I could still work in management and learn on the job, even without a formal degree in the field. So I pursued teaching. I taught in Ohio, which is where I’m from. I met my now-husband, who’s in the military, and we moved to Minnesota. I taught there, then in Vermont and eventually in Texas.

When I first graduated from college in December, I started working part-time at Sylvan to supplement my job search. I really enjoyed it and even got into a director role for about a year before leaving. When we moved to Vermont, I substitute taught for a bit and worked at Sylvan again to supplement my income — it was very rural. Then, when we transferred to Texas, I joined the Sylvan there and ended up with a full-time director opportunity. Somehow, that turned into overseeing six or seven centers.

1851: What was it that you liked about Sylvan? What excites you most about the company?

Lovin: I really enjoyed the structured programs and curriculum. From a teacher’s perspective, it was interesting to see how the programs work with kids individually. Sometimes, if I hadn’t worked with a student for a week or two, I would see them again and, suddenly, all the things they had been struggling with, they understood it. That was amazing to witness. It was just incredible to see that growth and how the program truly works.

1851: Looking back, what are some of the biggest milestones or moments of success that stand out to you?

Lovin: I think one of the biggest milestones was the opportunity to become a full-time director. I really felt like I made that transition from teacher to director because of the recommendation of the existing directors at Sylvan, which was incredibly flattering. It felt like a leap of faith from the owners at the time.

From there, being given a seat at the table — being able to implement ideas, bring up new things and try different approaches — that was huge. Then, when the owners I worked for decided to move away from ownership, I was allowed to purchase the center.

1851: What do you think has made your location so successful? What has growth looked like over the years?

Lovin: I feel like it comes down to the people. Having team members who are passionate about teaching and about the kids and families makes a big difference. Directors who are involved and connected to the community also contribute. Being active in the community has really helped us be successful and stay successful.

1851: What do you think sets Sylvan apart from other tutoring franchises in the community?

Lovin: I think it’s the individual approach — the personalization. We have people who are passionate about what they do; they are educators who have been in classrooms. My teachers and directors understand how education works and what needs to be done to help students improve.

Other tutoring companies don’t always have that same set of people. When I talk to parents, some of their experiences with other services don’t include tutors with teaching experience. We're also fortunate to have people at the corporate level who understand education and are passionate about it. I think that trickles down and makes a difference throughout the entire organization.

1851: What do you think the future holds for the San Antonio location as well as the other locations?

Lovin: Hopefully, continued success. Now that I oversee the entire area, I really want to explore how we can be more involved in the community and play a bigger role in promoting the importance of education. With the rise of AI and other developments, I think it's important that we continue to emphasize the human touch in education while also embracing new technologies that can enhance what we do.

1851: How do you believe Sylvan has helped the kids in your area?

Lovin: I think the impact has been huge — I see it all the time. I’ve been in this community for over 10 years, and I’m part of an education foundation in one of the school districts. I constantly have conversations with people who tell me, “My kid went to Sylvan and now they’ve graduated summa cum laude,” or “They’re now working in a great career.”

It’s all about the accomplishments and instilling confidence. People understand that education is an investment in their future. Now I’m seeing parents who came here as students bringing their children, and grandparents who brought their kids now bringing their grandkids. It’s amazing to see that kind of generational impact.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a Sylvan owner?

Lovin: Do your research. Coming from retail and food service management, I’ve learned that the business of education isn’t something you can just set and forget. You can’t expect a franchise like this to run itself. It’s very hands-on.

We’re not selling a tangible product where someone walks out with a physical item at the end of the day. What we offer is about long-term benefits and emotional investment. You’re not selling a hamburger and fries — you’re building ongoing relationships, and that takes commitment.

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.