Parents of two use experience in tutoring biz

AZ Daily Star March 12, 2009 | JOYCE BERTSCHY NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD With two daughters, Wendy and John Heese have first-hand experience with homework battles waged at the dinner table. Now they’re using that experience helping parents and students struggling with homework at their new enterprise in Oro Valley.

Their business, the Huntington Learning Center, is in a new strip mall on the northeast corner of North La Canada Drive and West Lambert Lane. The couple opened the center last November. see here huntington learning center

John Heese’s job with Chase bank brought the family here in 2007. Wendy’s interest in their daughters’ education combined with John’s desire to start his own business motivated the duo to look into franchise options.

“One of the reasons we bought with Huntington was they have very specific guidelines for what they expect from their franchisees,” Wendy Heese said. “Somebody invented the wheel. I didn’t want to reinvent it, I just want to keep it spinning successfully.” Wendy Heese said she stayed at home for nine years with the couple’s two daughters. However, during those years, she first volunteered and then worked as a preschool teacher’s aide at their schools.

“We wanted something that was geared toward Wendy because when we opened I was still working at the bank.” John Heese said.

Several months after the center opened, the student population had grown and running the business took more of Wendy’s time. website huntington learning center

The couple considered day care for their daughters Kaisee, 11 and Kayte, 7. But, at that point, “we felt comfortable that the business could support us,” Wendy Heese said.

So John Heese swapped working for the bank for working for himself.

“I discovered that as I work with the kids more, I really enjoy teaching.” he said.

Lisa Bellah enrolled her son Dylan at Huntington in January.

“My husband and I noticed that he was just struggling,” she said.

Dylan is in fifth grade and goes in four times a week to receive individualized instruction. He recently mastered counting money and seemed excited about it. “Before, I wasn’t sure how to count it and I had to ask,” he said. “The teachers are nice.” “I hope when he is all finished, he’ll want to go to math class in sixth grade,” his mom said. “I want him to have the self- confidence to tackle anything that’s put in front of him.” Students are tutored in the basics: reading, writing, math, spelling, phonics and study skills. The center staff also offers exam preparation for the SAT and the ACT.

“Initially when parents call us they’re at their wit’s end,” Wendy Heese said. “We start them where they’re completely comfortable and then we build the skills that they need. Once the skills are in place, confidence follows. When you’re confident, you’re motivated to learn new things.” For the love of learning What: Huntington Learning Center.

Where: 10550 N. La Canada Drive.

Phone: 544-8700.

Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 1-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday.

Prices: Prices vary and are based on each student’s needs.

* Contact news assistant Joyce Bertschy at 434-4076 or bertschy@azstarnet.com.

JOYCE BERTSCHY