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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/28/09:
Back to Basics celebrates 24th anniversary
Contact: Beverly Stewart, M.Ed. 302-594-0754
Wilmington, Delaware – This fall, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc., the tri-state area’s
undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring, homeschooling, ESL instruction, and district contract accounts,
celebrates 24 years serving the varied educational needs of children through adults. Since 1985, the firm
has provided educational instruction to over 11,500 students in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Today, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics is a vibrant, full-service educational facility providing
instruction in 60+ subjects, the most comprehensive range of subjects available. The firm’s beginnings,
however, were a significantly more humble. As a teacher, Beverly Stewart had a vision of reaching every
student. Her six years of experience in a traditional classroom had shown her this was not always the
most effective method of instruction. So, in 1985 she established Back to Basics Tutoring Service as a
sole proprietor working from her one-bedroom apartment. From the onset, the firm was significantly
different because it focused on the benefits gained through one-on-one instruction and a permanent
student-tutor match, unlike national chains using group instruction and multiple tutors.
Although she had a true passion for education, Stewart recognized that she had no practical experience
in running a successful business, and so enlisted the help of SCORE to learn skills, strategies and practices
that would help her fledgling business grow. From accounting, to strategic planning, to management skills,
the teacher became the student. And in just four short years, Back to Basics grew so large that a permanent
tutoring center was necessary to accommodate its students and staff. In 1989, Stewart purchased a three-story
building at 1824 North Scott Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
She also began to increase the firm’s offerings. In addition to a thriving customer base of one-on-one
tutoring and instruction for schooled-aged children, she further expanded into tutoring and instruction
for adults of all ages. From languages like Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish, to work-related skills
like computers, business writing, and accounting, Stewart provided resume building options for adults to
increase their marketability in an increasingly competitive workplace.
In response, major corporations flocked to the facility. By providing such valuable services as English as
a Second Language (ESL) instruction, translating, sign language and interpreting, Stewart built a
successful corporate client list including Fortune 500 companies DuPont, Hercules, ICI, Astra Zeneca
and more. Stewart's entrepreneurial spirit paid off and after only six years in business Back to Basics
was named one of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies" by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
In 1999, having completely outgrown the North Scott Street building, Stewart was faced with a major
business decision, whether or not to take the plunge and move to a larger space. Once again, she enlisted
the services of the SBA through the SBDC for counseling and advice. And in 2000, Back to Basics expanded
yet again to the current 6 Stone Hill Road address. The move increased classroom and office space by 250%
and in conjunction with the move, Back to Basics Tutoring Service, Inc. was renamed Back to Basics
Learning Dynamics, Inc.
The move allowed Stewart to once again increase, not only the firm’s much-needed classroom space,
but also its educational offerings. Stewart realized a career-long ambition, when Back to Basics
became a state-approved private school with a focus unlike any other school in the state. Today, with
a cap of 20 students, this unique private school provides students one-on-one instruction for state
credit toward graduation, through personal, customized instruction. Stewart’s vision of creating a
place where she could reach every student had finally come true.
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Beverly Stewart, M.Ed., is President and Director of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, the
area leader in one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction for students of all ages. Back to Basics
also runs a state-approved alternative school. Email Beverly at beverly@backtobasicslearning.com
or call (302) 594-0754.
Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. is located on 6 Stone Hill Road, Wilmington. |
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