INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: SASHA SUN

Sasha Sun, Instructor of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Richmond – Ironwood
Sasha Sun opened her Center in June 2020, at the height of the pandemic’s first wave. Despite having to overcome great challenges in her first year, she has still been able to achieve great success.
Sasha has always had a passion for learning and working with children, which led her to become a Kumon Instructor. However, her continuous love for learning and working with kids is what has been driving her to push forward through this tough year.
We asked Sasha some questions to describe her journey, so let’s hear from her!
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is seeing how independent a young student can become through Kumon’s unique self-learning method. A couple of months ago, a father whose son is in kindergarten came up to me and said, “You know, I have been sitting with my son as he completes his math homework for the past two months, but last night my son told me, ‘Dad, you do not need to sit with me today. I will do my own homework by myself!’ After hearing that, I was so happy for my son!” I could see how proud he was. After just two months in the Kumon Program, a 6-year-old kindergarten student was able to complete his homework by himself. It’s amazing how independent one can be at such a young age.
Beyond that, it really inspires me to see how much happiness Kumon can bring to a student after he or she attends Kumon. At one class, a student’s mother whispered to me that her daughter wanted to say something. The student stood at the center entrance, and said to me, “Thank you, Miss Sasha. I really wanted to say thanks because I was the first one to complete my math classwork at school today! I am so happy!” I had tears in my eyes. This was my dream… to work with children and to make them happy.
This happiness has filled my life as well. Kumon has given me the great opportunity to boost my own confidence and to reach my dream of being an educator. I always wanted to work with children, but I was not very confident. Just as the Kumon Method teaches students to become confident through step-by-step lessons, I too have learned to be confident in myself. As my students grow, so do I.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a Kumon Instructor?
Be kind. That is the most valuable lesson I have learned as a Kumon Instructor. This is what Toru Kumon believed and through the learning method he developed, it’s what he teaches us still today. Be kind to myself, be kind to my family, and be kind to others. I share my knowledge with my students, their parents and to other Kumon Instructors. That is the most valuable lesson that I continue to live and learn along my Kumon journey.
What is it about being an instructor that you enjoy most?
I love to work with our students. The best part is that they are all at different ages and stages in their lives and I get to help guide them all through one classroom at the Kumon center.
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