Meet Our Team
Great Teachers Inspire
Our tutors and staff in Coralville consist of passionate educators who love inspiring children to succeed. Warm, caring and great at relating to kids, our tutors in Coralville know how to engage and motivate each child in a personal way—building confidence and smiles, as well as skills and better scores. We selectively choose tutors who know local curriculum and can link Sylvan lessons to what’s being taught in school.
Get to know our tutors and staff in Coralville!
April Samp
Co-Owner
April Samp is the proud Co-Owner of all four Sylvan Learning of Iowa Centers. April is a graduate of Iowa State University and invested many years into the communities where she lived by covering and investigating meaningful stories as a journalist and News Director. April worked in TV News/Marketing and Advertising for 25 years at stations like WOI-TV, KGAN/KFXA, KWQC and WHO in Iowa, KCTV and WDAF in Kansas City, WAVY/WVBT in Virginia and KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. April’s love of education and everything it does for a person started very early. Both of her parents were educators. April and her son Cale live in Waukee and cheer loudly for the Cyclones and play golf whenever possible!
Jody Simpson
Regional Director
Jody has been with Sylvan for over 20 years. Jody conducts conferences, assists families with their needs and ensures that our center is always upholding the Sylvan Pledge! She loves to build relationships with families and create life long partnerships. In her spare time (ha!) she volunteers at Van Meter schools, plays with her three kids, dog and husband!
Sarah Harl
Center Director
As Center Director, Sarah Harl leads our students and staff and works with our parents and families to ensure an outstanding Sylvan experience! Formerly the Assistant Director of Camp Poyntelle in Poyntelle, PA, Sarah was excited to bring her love of working with families to tutoring because she believes every student can experience success and deserves the perfect environment to be able to do just that! Sarah is a proud alum of Simpson College. When Sarah isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll likely find her at Kinnick Stadium or Carver Hawkeye Arena cheering on the Hawks, breaking our her passport to go somewhere new, taking in a concert or playing with her dog, Casey!
Lisa Milder
Director of Education
Lisa is a teacher in Iowa City, IA. While Lisa has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in math and reading tutoring. She studied at the University of Iowa. When she isn’t at Sylvan of Coralville, you’ll find her cheering on her children at baseball/softball games, reading or relaxing at home.
Matt Bricker
Sylvan Certified Tutor
Matt is a teacher in Coralville, IA, with a gift for working with kids/teens. Matthew has many tutoring talents. He finds the greatest joy in tutoring History. He studied at Goshen College and New Mexico State University. When Matthew isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him at concerts, lectures, or playing trivia around town.
Julie McCabe
Certified Teacher
Julie is a reading teacher in Coralville, IA, with a gift for working with kids. While Julie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in reading. She studied at the University of Iowa. When Julie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her reading, swimming, or playing with her grandchildren.
Sadie McGinnis
Tutor
Sadie is a math in Coralville, IA with a gift for working with kids. While Sadie has many tutoring talents, she finds the greatest joy in Math/Algebra tutoring. She studied at the University of Iowa. When Sadie isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her swimming, walking her dog, or playing a board game.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
Give us a call at (319) 800-6976 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals.
