Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success

Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Gavin, 11-years-old, Math Level J, Reading Level K Gavin has an above-average appetite for challenge. On a daily basis, the 11-year old balances many extracurricular activities such as participating in both cello and piano lessons, competitive soccer, robotics club, and much more. Despite his busy schedule, Gavin makes it a point to make time to volunteer, both at the local soup kitchen as well as coaching LEGO Robotics at an underprivileged school. One of the reasons Gavin has the extra time to devote to outside activities is that he doesn’t have to worry about homework bogging him down. Because of his enrollment in Kumon’s Math and Reading Program, he is years ahead of grade level, which helps him complete homework in a pinch. “Kumon has helped me outside of the classroom by teaching me crucial skills such as being focused, time management, and using my time wisely, all of which have allowed me extra time to enjoy my passions,” said Gavin. “I stay motivated along the way by just slowing down and thinking, and I tell myself that if I stay with things, I will thank myself for persisting in the future.” Gavin’s parents enrolled him in the Kumon Math and Reading Program over four years ago. He started out learning simple multiplication and piecing together sentences and has now advanced to high school level math and analytical reading. Although Gavin has no shortage of accomplishments, he values the virtue of staying humble. In fact, when we asked him who his inspirations were, his true character and love for giving back came through. “My biggest inspirations are the humble of the wealthy, such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, who use their knowledge, resources, and power to give back to the community in a positive way.” It’s no surprise that Gavin was one of 56 students selected to attend Kumon’s 3rd Annual Student Conference this past July. The event, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, connected some of North America’s brightest Kumon Students to collaborate, network, and connect through critical thinking activities. We had a chance to chat with Gavin during the conference to learn more about the importance of Kumon in his life and his hopes for the future. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? What I enjoy most is the excitement of learning and mastering new math concepts and discovering new, enrapturing literature. How has Kumon helped you academically? Gavin shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe Kumon has helped me academically by teaching me accuracy, math concepts, and crucial reading skills that give me the baseline of education, therefore placing me much ahead of the average student. I especially loved when Kumon recommended books to read and showed me many fantastic books, such as Bridge to Terabithia and A Wrinkle in Time. What about outside of the classroom? Kumon has helped me by giving me a solid character foundation for time management, persistence, and grit. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to be either a movie director or a lawyer. What achievements are you most proud of? The achievement that Im most proud of is being able to balance all of my extracurricular activities (Cello, Piano, Chinese language lessons, soccer, and Kumon) and still be able to have free-time and advance in school. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? My advice would be to always keep a steady pace and persist through hard times, and to never give up, as anything is possible if you give it your all. Kumon truly helped me in almost every way possible, and I would totally recommend it to anyone. How did you feel when you found out you were selected to attend the Student Conference? I felt super excited and amazed at my luck, knowing that this is an extraordinary once-in-a-life experience that rarely anyone gets to experience. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Three-Time Spelling Bee Champion Always Welcomes a Challenge As Easy as Eating Cake: This Student Tackles Every Challenge that Comes His Way Increased Confidence has Inspired this Young Girl to Take on any Challenge Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Slowing Down in the Face of Challenge is the Key to this Students Academic Success Gavin, 11-years-old, Math Level J, Reading Level K Gavin has an above-average appetite for challenge. On a daily basis, the 11-year old balances many extracurricular activities such as participating in both cello and piano lessons, competitive soccer, robotics club, and much more. Despite his busy schedule, Gavin makes it a point to make time to volunteer, both at the local soup kitchen as well as coaching LEGO Robotics at an underprivileged school. One of the reasons Gavin has the extra time to devote to outside activities is that he doesn’t have to worry about homework bogging him down. Because of his enrollment in Kumon’s Math and Reading Program, he is years ahead of grade level, which helps him complete homework in a pinch. “Kumon has helped me outside of the classroom by teaching me crucial skills such as being focused, time management, and using my time wisely, all of which have allowed me extra time to enjoy my passions,” said Gavin. “I stay motivated along the way by just slowing down and thinking, and I tell myself that if I stay with things, I will thank myself for persisting in the future.” Gavin’s parents enrolled him in the Kumon Math and Reading Program over four years ago. He started out learning simple multiplication and piecing together sentences and has now advanced to high school level math and analytical reading. Although Gavin has no shortage of accomplishments, he values the virtue of staying humble. In fact, when we asked him who his inspirations were, his true character and love for giving back came through. “My biggest inspirations are the humble of the wealthy, such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, who use their knowledge, resources, and power to give back to the community in a positive way.” It’s no surprise that Gavin was one of 56 students selected to attend Kumon’s 3rd Annual Student Conference this past July. The event, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, connected some of North America’s brightest Kumon Students to collaborate, network, and connect through critical thinking activities. We had a chance to chat with Gavin during the conference to learn more about the importance of Kumon in his life and his hopes for the future. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? What I enjoy most is the excitement of learning and mastering new math concepts and discovering new, enrapturing literature. How has Kumon helped you academically? Gavin shakes hands with Kumon North America President Mino Tanabe Kumon has helped me academically by teaching me accuracy, math concepts, and crucial reading skills that give me the baseline of education, therefore placing me much ahead of the average student. I especially loved when Kumon recommended books to read and showed me many fantastic books, such as Bridge to Terabithia and A Wrinkle in Time. What about outside of the classroom? Kumon has helped me by giving me a solid character foundation for time management, persistence, and grit. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to be either a movie director or a lawyer. What achievements are you most proud of? The achievement that Im most proud of is being able to balance all of my extracurricular activities (Cello, Piano, Chinese language lessons, soccer, and Kumon) and still be able to have free-time and advance in school. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? My advice would be to always keep a steady pace and persist through hard times, and to never give up, as anything is possible if you give it your all. Kumon truly helped me in almost every way possible, and I would totally recommend it to anyone. How did you feel when you found out you were selected to attend the Student Conference? I felt super excited and amazed at my luck, knowing that this is an extraordinary once-in-a-life experience that rarely anyone gets to experience. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Finding the motivation to continue learning during the summer can be a challenge. 13-year-old Kumon dual program completer shares advice on perseverance. Three-Time Spelling Bee Champion Always Welcomes a Challenge As Easy as Eating Cake: This Student Tackles Every Challenge that Comes His Way Increased Confidence has Inspired this Young Girl to Take on any Challenge