Kumon Santa Cruz - A Letter from Priscilla Bauer
Dear Prospective Kumon Parent,
I'd like to tell you a bit about my experience with Kumon Santa Cruz. My child Sophia enjoyed her days at school and liked all her subjects equally. However at the end of third grade; Sophia needed to regain her enthusiasm, inquisitiveness, and love of math. She had lost it. She declared, "I don’t like math. I can’t do math." My heart sank; I knew this not to be true. I needed to find an environment that would be conducive to her regaining her self confidence in math. I needed a teacher who understood the learning process of math and enjoyed math.
I found the Kumon program in Santa Cruz and Anita Widjaja. It seems like what I had been searching for, and I was right. Anita has the perfect personality to teach math and guide students through the steps to understanding math concepts. With patience and encouragement, she guides her through the bumps in the road until the concept is fully understood.
Sophia started with the math program and became very excited and wanted to enroll in the reading program also. After a couple of months, she declared that she wanted to complete the whole program. That declaration was very soothing. Her confidence in herself had resurfaced. She recognized that she could do math and that she did indeed like it. There is always a sense of accomplishment when finishing a packet. There is rarely a time when she is not engaged in reading a book.
Being able to proceed at her own pace has taught her how to challenge herself on her own terms. She understands putting an effort into a pursuit and enjoying the outcome whatever it may be. Sophia has told me, "It was a good thing that you enrolled me in Kumon.I have learned that If you put your mind to something, you might not see a result quickly, but if you take steps you can get there. I know how to be responsible and set priorities for my commitments."
She has gained much more than just great organizational skills and a good work ethic.
Sophia took on the challenge of obtaining level G by fifth grade, she made it. She took the assessment test required for admission to the local college and qualified to take college level courses. She has passed all three courses she has taken. She has finished the Kumon reading program and competed in the County Math Contest finishing with an honorable mention. She participated in the inaugural Girls in Engineering program at UCSC, the Sally Ride Festival for girls at NASA Ames Research Center, Lego’s Robotic Class and Girls-Go-Tech at the Boys & Girls club of Santa Cruz .She participates in team sports and volunteers. She is pretty well rounded and looking forward to entering high school. To say we're satisfied with Kumon Santa Cruz would be a huge understatement!
Warm Regards,
Priscilla Bauer