SYCAMORE – Panthea Spyratos spent three years teaching in Huntley School District 158 before she realized school isn’t for everyone – teachers included.
She wanted to have more one-on-one instruction with students and work on each child's specific needs. She noticed not all schools provide that type of instruction.
“I wanted to offer resources from a real teacher’s perspective and truly help students be successful,” she said. “The more I taught and went to professional development and grew as a teacher, I found out I wasn’t being challenged and wanted a change of pace.”
So Spyratos, a lifelong Sycamore resident, came back home and started her own tutoring service, EdUcate Inc., at 141 E. Elm St. in Sycamore.
EdUcate Inc. offers one-on-one tutoring, as well as small group interaction. Spyratos focuses on both struggling students and advanced pupils, offering homework and enrichment help. She said returning to Sycamore has been the best decision of her life.
Interested parents undergo a private consultation with Spyratos before they decide which plan to enroll their student in. Spyratos said EduCate Inc. has been well received by the community since its grand opening in July.
“Being from the area, I knew I wanted to offer an individualized, specialized approach on tutoring,” Spyratos said. “Each private session is based on the child’s needs.”
Spyratos graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and runs EduCate Inc. on her own. She said she had extra help from other teachers during the summer months but has been able to handle the workload just fine since. As her business grows, she hopes to eventually hire additional full-time teachers.
She also wants to collaborate with area schools, and stresses that the tutoring business isn't a competition against school districts.
"Sycamore is a small community and I want to show them we're here to help in any way possible," she said.
EduCate Inc. accepts students enrolled in kindergarten through high school. Interested families and parents can schedule a consultation appointment with Spyratos by calling EduCate Inc. at 815)-991-9965.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Spyratos said. “The community has been amazing. A lot of great support, which is huge in this business. I knew sycamore was a great community – opening this tutoring service has proved me right.”