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About the Instructor

Introduction

"It's our job as educators not to stuff knowledge into children as if they were merely empty boxes, but to encourage each child to want to learn, to enjoy learning and be capable of studying whatever he or she may need to or wish to in the future." 

Toru Kumon 


Teaching has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a daughter of a high school English teacher, I watched my mom dedicate so many late nights and weekends correcting papers and lesson planning, all in an effort to bring her best to each of her students, year after year. Once I made the decision to devote my life to the same craft, I poured myself, wholeheartedly, into my work. In late 2017, I was introduced to the Kumon method when I began working part-time at the center I now operate. Although I saw first hand the great strides students were making in their Math and Reading skills, what really made an impression on me was each students’ ability to learn independently. I saw a classroom full of students working on challenging material requiring little (if any) guidance! This is when I realized I could help students realize their full potential by becoming a Kumon instructor myself and after a year of extensive training, I became the instructor of the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Salt Lake in October of 2018. Not only has it become my purpose, I am lucky to be able to share Kumon with my family. Mr. Wayne Nicely is our business manager and Mr. Sean and Miss Mia (my son and my daughter) both work as program assistants. We are 100% invested in the success of each and everyone of our students!

Biography and Background

Kimberly Nicely

I grew up on the island of Maui and permanently moved to O’ahu in 1992 after living in Los Angeles, California for three years. I earned my Bachelor’s of Education (Elementary) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Masters of Arts in Teacher Leadership from National University (San Diego, CA). After working in retail and retail management for nine years, I formally began my career in education with the Hawaii State Department of Education at ‘Aiea Elementary School where I taught a blended classroom of fourth, fifth and sixth graders then served as the school’s technology coordinator. I made a move to middle school when I accepted a position at Niu Valley Middle School as a sixth grade Language Arts teacher. In 2016, I transferred to Dole Middle School to serve first as the English/Language Arts Instructional Coach and then as the School Improvement Coordinator. 


When I have some free time, I enjoy spending time with the youngest member of our family, Roxy, our silky terrier - Lhasa Apso mix. She is twelve years old but has the energy of a puppy! I also love watching both my children play sports - volleyball for Sean Ellis and soccer for Mia - when I can.