Mihir's Kumon Journey
Kumon has helped me progress as an independent learner. I started the math program before grade 2 and completed it at the end of grade 9. Completing the math program has given me a head start on concepts I’m learning in school, making math easily my best and favorite course. The experience has taught me that resilience and consistency are key to finding success in self-learning. I found Level O to be the toughest; asking for help more frequently and looking back at previous examples allowed me to overcome it.
I chose to work at Kumon because I want to help students have a positive experience with the program, like I did. Although those eight years in the program were certainly challenging, the benefits of completing it have set me up for success now and in the future, making the sacrifice absolutely worthwhile.
- Mihir
Gabriel's Kumon Journey
Kumon was the foundation that provided me the ability to enhance certain skills that would largely benefit me throughout school. I began the Kumon programme around grade one for both reading and math, completing the reading programme in grade six, and the math programme in grade eight. Participation in both of these programmes gave me a substantial boost in confidence and skills. Since I started Kumon at a young age, I was able to complete levels that were beyond my current grade level. For example, I began learning about calculus topics such as derivatives and integrals during grade seven and eight, which was years before I would actually learn the material in highschool. In the reading programme, I was learning and practicing how to summarize and analyze paragraphs of difficult texts before I started high school. Hence, participating in the Kumon programme allowed me to understand and practice difficult concepts in math and reading, and to get ahead in school material. Consequently, this gave me an unexpectedly high boost in confidence for myself throughout school, as I have already learned the material beforehand, and was able to employ that knowledge in a new environment. Though this programme is difficult, as there were instances were I had to repeat several tests and certain parts of some levels, the encouragement from the instructors, along with the positive results I have witnessed, empowered me to persevere through the difficult challenges that I faced during the school years, while also preparing me for similar instances in the future. The Kumon programme taught me how to manage my personal and school life. Initially, the programme allowed me to develop a system for balancing my workload from school, my extracurricular activities, and the homework from Kumon, such that I would not experience loads of stress. This system helped in developing efficient study and practice habits that allowed for greater amounts of time to be allocated for personal use, while ensuring a positive result. This same strategy is what I employ now, as a current employee for Kumon. The reason why I joined Kumon as an employee is because I have seen firsthand the positive benefits this programme provided for myself and other students in terms of educational success and time management. As a result, I want to be able to help students and motivate them to continue this programme.
- Gabriel
Natalie's Kumon Journey
Many of the skills I have acquired throughout my life can be accredited to my completion of the Kumon math program. I began the math program during the start of grade 4 and completed it halfway through grade 11. The seven years of daily math homework paid off immensely. Although it was challenging at times to find motivation to continue, I am extremely grateful to the instructors that continued to push me forward. During my 7th grade year, I had to redo level J as I wasn’t fully understanding the material. Instead of labeling this as failure, it became an opportunity for me to grow. Kumon has taught me that failure is only a small fraction of one’s path to success. The motivating and friendly environment Kumon provides gave me the opportunity to overcome challenges and develop a strong sense of resilience at a young age. Throughout my time spent in the program, I was consistently empowered to better myself and improve my study habits. Being introduced into a rigorous study program at such a young age allowed me to develop healthy habits for coping with stress and has set me up for furthering my education at the university level.
When I took on a role at Kumon I quickly learned the importance of being able to balance ones work, school, and personal life. I created a good routine for myself that allowed me to use my previously developed study habits to find ways to remain consistent at school whilst maintaining a part time job. Working at Kumon has allowed me to assist young students in developing healthy study habits and skills that will be extremely beneficial to them in the future. Taking up this position has allowed me to give back to the program that has vastly contributed to my success in school and life. Working firsthand with students has allowed me to motivate them the same way I had been empowered in the past.
- Natalie
Ada's Kumon Journey
I struggled with the fundamental basics of math before my enrollment into Kumon. Math was confusing and frustrating to me in school, and I felt as though I would never understand the subject. When I was in fifth grade, my parents made the decision to register me in the Kumon math program. I quickly memorized and mastered the basic foundation of arithmetic using consistent, daily practice. The satisfaction that came with overcoming one of my biggest challenges made me feel empowered. For the first time ever, I understood and felt confident in math.
As I continued to work through the math program, my confidence and abilities grew. I advanced to cover material that was beyond what I was learning in school, which gave me a head start and allowed me to effectively become an exemplary student. The Kumon method teaches mathematical concepts in an in-depth, layered manner that is vital to success. I have developed crucial skills such as self-guided study and problem solving as a Kumon student. I am grateful for the many opportunities being a Kumon student has given me and I aim to complete the math program before graduating high school.
I joined the Kumon staff because I want others to be able to experience the empowerment and confidence that I was able to accomplish with this program. I’m glad I can contribute to the academic success of others, and I hope to make Kumon a positive experience for all future students.
- Ada