About the Instructor

As an extensively trained and certified professional instructor, I serve as a mentor who guides your children through their work while also providing direction, support and encouragement. I create an at-home study plan in addition to monitoring classroom assignments, and I emphasize the importance of accurately completing each assignment within a designated time frame. This helps students increase self-confidence, thus becoming more self-reliant. Our goal is to help every student to realize their potential in an instructional program that is specifically designed for them and proceeds at a pace determined by their success.

I began my teaching career after earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Education degree from Western. (It was in these studies that I became familiar with the Suzuki method of string instruction  - another instructional innovation from Japan that was great preparation for my future involvement with Kumon!). I later earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Studies from Western.

I taught at both secondary and elementary schools in Windsor and with the Thames Valley District School Board for 34 years, retiring as an elementary school principal. As a musician, I enjoy performing with several community groups. 

After retiring as a school administrator, I continued to work as an advocate for youth experiencing challenges in their education, offering hope and opportunity in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Becoming a Kumon instructor is a new realization of any educator's original motivation: to make a positive difference in the lives of students. The thorough and ongoing Kumon training has confirmed my original impression: the Kumon method is designed to place the student at an appropriate level of study based on their level of achievement, and proceed at a pace determined by the student. In school classrooms, the curriculum moves on whether students are ready or not. At Riverbend & Oxford Kumon Learning Centre, students progress based on their successful attainment of levels of study at their own pace.

Another facet of the Kumon strategy is based on meticulous and specific tracking and analysis of student achievement. This data supports the assessment of both mastery of material and efficiency that provides evidence that the student has attained the goals of one level and is ready to move on to the next.

I am looking forward to the continuing education that Kumon offers, and the support of my new Kumon colleagues. Education is a life-long pursuit, and I am enjoying this opportunity to continue that.