About Your Instructor
James Shin
James is a California native and spent many years in New York City where he worked in the financial services industry. His career spans over two decades in financial services, most recently as Director of Operational Risk at one of the world's largest banking institutions. James brings his extensive analytical experience to his role as Instructor as he studies each student holistically and designs study plans to suit their individual needs.
Maria Shin is James' wife and runs the Oakley Kumon Center. Maria spent most of her career on Wall Street, working primarily in the areas of research, analytics, and market risk. Maria assists James in the Sacramento Greenhaven Center and likewise, James assists at the Oakley center. James and Maria feel fortunate that both Kumon of Sacramento-Greenhaven and Kumon of Oakley benefit from two Instructors looking after the centers.
Maria and James are also obstacle course racing enthusiasts and runners. In addition, James has a black belt in tae kwon do and Maria is a certified yoga instructor. As active people, they bring a sense of energy as well as a zest for achievement, friendly competition, excellence, and fun to their work. As parents themselves, they understand how to motivate students. As former Kumon parents who have tried many supplemental education programs for their own children, Maria and James believe in the Kumon program and its ability to bring out the potential in all students. They truly believe that every child is smart and Kumon makes them smarter!