Houston Area Couple Leverages Decades of Service to Shaping Minds and Giving Back at Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks
When Arthur and Nina Fonteneaux, a local power couple with extensive service history, ventured into business, they chose to continue serving their community by helping bridge the gap between education and society. The Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks, located just north of the Addicks Reservoir in West Houston, opened its doors at the end of December 2023. Its mission: empowering students and adults alike with the necessary skills for academic and professional success.
Arthur Fonteneaux, co-owner and native Houstonian, believes firmly in the Sylvan experience, which he saw in action with his own children. “The driving force behind operating Sylvan Learning of Addicks is the positive impact we saw Sylvan had on our own children. We want to extend the same help and opportunities to the young minds in our community,” he says.
A tutor leading a lesson with students at the Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks. (Source: Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks)The center offers personalized academic instruction for grades K-12 in reading, writing, mathematics, and more, along with SAT/ACT test prep and STEM courses, with all tutoring offered in English and Spanish. Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks is also an authorized Pearson VUE Testing site, and offers GED testing.
Arthur elaborates, "We pride ourselves in being detailed oriented, mission-focused, and maintaining an optimal teacher to student ratio."
Before joining the Sylvan Learning Center family, Arthur and Nina dedicated over two decades to serving their country in the U.S. Army. Arthur served as a Senior Infantry NCO before retiring in 2017, while Nina held the rank of Captain for 14 years. Following his military career, Arthur became a Texas State Trooper in July of 2017. Nina, on the other hand, pursued a career in the medical field as a Nurse Practitioner, working towards a doctorate.
Nina and Arthur Fonteneaux, owners of the Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks. (Source: Arthur Fonteneaux)Despite originating from different parts of the country, Arthur and Nina are united in their desire to give back to their community. They already hold plans for future Sylvan Learning Centers in Spring Branch, Spring West, and Liberty, Texas. They have also worked with non-profits like Heaven for Hope in San Antonio and various women's shelters, and have plans to work with Cy-Fair school district, Cy-Fair Helping Hands, and Cy-Hope.
Their commitment to the community does not stop there. "We joined the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber to ensure we are embedded in the communities the Center serves. We aim to focus on the families' needs and to help build positively with the Chamber," Arthur says.
On March 28, the center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce. Paula Harvey, Vice President of the Chamber, expressed her support. "We are thrilled to have Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks as part of our community. They bring an essential service that will undoubtedly be a significant asset to our community's education," she commented.
Arthur and Nina Fonteneaux, far left, with supporters at their ribbon cutting ceremony with the During leisure time, the Fonteneaux's love travel, having visited Germany, Korea, Kosovo, Dubai, Egypt, Spain, and Paris, among other destinations.
While the journey has just begun for the Sylvan Learning Center of Addicks, the Fonteneaux's are optimistic and driven by their love for service and education. As they forge ahead, their sights are set on fostering knowledge and enriching lives, one student at a time.
By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region. |
