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Kumon Opens Historical Museum Celebrating 36 Years in America

By: Kumon Math & Reading Centers |  1,014 Shares     230 Reads

After-School Program Unlocks the Potential of Children

TEANECK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kumon, the world's largest after-school education company, opens a historical museum in dedication of its late founder, Toru Kumon, on Wednesday, March 17th, at 10 a.m. at the Kumon North American headquarters in Teaneck, New Jersey. The Kumon University Museum documents the growth of the company in the United States and worldwide. Hundreds of educators and franchisees who contributed to Kumon's expansion will participate in the opening ceremony.

"Kumon was founded by a father's desire to help his son, and the pioneers who brought Kumon to North America were also driven to nurture their children and those in the community to reach their full potential through the Kumon Method of Learning," said Mr. Kusuzawa, president of Kumon North America. "The Kumon University Museum aims to educate visitors about the legacy and mission of our company and philosophy of our program."

The development of the museum took more than ten years, and it was part of the company's expansion vision to create a national training program for its North American franchisees. The Kumon University Museum serves as a research and education center for Kumon Instructors and associates to examine new methods to develop independent learning skills in children.

The first Kumon Center to open outside of Japan was in Larchmont, New York, in 1974. Since then, Kumon has expanded to 46 countries and is helping more than four million children worldwide. In the United States there are 1,330 Kumon Centers with more than 202,729 children enrolled in the program. The franchise continues to attract entrepreneurs with a strong desire to help children and their communities.

The opening ceremony honors four inductees into Kumon North America's new Hall of Fame:

• Mrs. Eiko Iwai of Larchmont, New York, was the first Kumon Instructor to open a center in North America. She ran her center for 21 years helping hundreds of students.
• Mrs. Hisae Sato of Aliso Viejo, California, was the second Kumon Instructor to open a center. She worked with hundreds of students in the 22 years she ran her center.
• The late Mr. Seiichiro Nishio (1941-2007) was a pioneer Kumon Instructor of 27 years in Torrance, California. He helped build Kumon's brand in the West and worked with thousands of students at his two centers with his wife and Kumon Instructor, Mrs. Nishio. Mrs. Nishio of Torrance will accept the award in his honor.
• Mr. Suk Tay (Steve) Kang of JeanNam, Kwanyang, South Korea, was the first North American employee responsible for expanding Kumon in the Tri-State area. He worked for Kumon as an associate for 15 years and was also co-Instructor at his wife's Kumon Centers in Fort Lee and Dumont, New Jersey, for nine years.

EVENT DAY FACTS:

• Date: March 17, 2010
• Best Photo Opportunity: 10:15 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
• Time: 10 a.m. - Noon
• On Site Day-of-Event Contact: Jenny Cherrytree (mobile: 310-948-1296)
• Location: Glenpointe Centre East, 300 Frank W. Burr Blvd., 6th Floor, Teaneck, NJ (The office building is connected to the Marriott.)
• Parking: Complimentary parking outside the office
• Bus Stop: From Port Authority in New York (8th Ave. and 42nd St.) take bus 167 NJ Transit to Teaneck Glenpointe (Frank W. Burr Blvd)
• Free public parking available outside the office building

Kumon partnered with the renowned New York architectural firm HLW International LLP to create and design the 2,000-square-foot Kumon University Museum, and with the innovative Xibits Inc., from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to develop the graphics and contents of the exhibit.

About Kumon Math and Reading Centers

Kumon [Koo-mon] is an after-school math and reading program that unlocks the potential of children so they can achieve more on their own. Founded in Japan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 centers in 46 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide. The company's North American headquarters is in Teaneck, New Jersey.

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