Never Give Up
On July 14 to 16, you will all gather at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Some of you are coming from thousands of miles away to join your colleagues, friends and associates, and reconnect with those you have not seen for a while. Gatherings like this are filled with great anticipation and expectations. Part of the excitement is experiencing one of the most livable cities in the world and enjoying its amenities, international cuisines, its beautiful scenery, the gardens, the scenic coastal areas, its wildlife, and the celebration of BC’s 125th anniversary at Summer Live. 
In your formal gathering at the general assembly, you will hear from your leaders and your colleagues who have painstakingly prepared to share their experiences with you. Anniversaries and milestones will be celebrated, Many of you who have remained faithful to your calling for several years will be acknowledged. Those with outstanding achievements with students will be honored.
Hopefully one day, in one of these international gatherings, your departed associates whose lives were devoted to the honorable pursuit of making a difference in children’s lives would also be remembered and perhaps posthumously recognized, like Nobuo Takashita who once had more than 1000 subject enrollment in Richmond. (You can read more about this Kumon pioneer here.) Late Nobuo Takashita’s story may never be published anywhere and may have already been long forgotten but as we read in this reference, we are fascinated by what was written about him; about having no training to start and run a kumon centre; about his centre starting with 5 children; about not knowing how to administer assessment tests. We quote from the story: “The largest number of students in one centre at that time (1982) was about 200. Although I started with only five (5) students, my center enrollment reached 1000 students within only 10 years. I am the first person in Kumon history to reach 1000 students.”
If someone like this man with no training and no business experience could, in ten years, do what no other Kumon instructor in the world was able to accomplish in 1992, could the advent of branding, Kumon University, updated CMS, volunteer study groups, conferences, business training, and convention make it possible to replicate his achievements in 2011 and onward?
Yes, you could!
Incredible feats throughout history were made because of two words: “DON’T QUIT!” “When faced with a mountain, build a tunnel through it,” said Dr. Robert Schuller. He adds, “Most people who succeed in the face of seemingly impossible conditions are people who simply don’t know how to quit.”
When you return home from your convention, you will be sorting out the experience you have gained and the speeches you have heard. You will be looking at the notes you took and the materials you gathered. You will treasure the mementos of your trip. Most of all, you will be asking yourself this question: “What have I gained most from this gathering that would make me yearn to be back next year at Las Vegas?”
We hope the answer would be, “My life has been enriched by this experience.” We’d like to add to that by sharing with you the story about Derek Redmond at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Before you view the video below, reflect on your Kumon experience; the opportunities and your challenges of running a centre; the seemingly difficult obstacles and almost impossible tasks of succeeding. Recollect your first inspiration to become an educator and the dream and aspiration to make a difference in children’s lives. As you re-ignite your passion, fill your thoughts with our final message: NEVER GIVE UP.
It has been both a chore and a joy for us to bring you this site – whether or not you are attending the convention – and anticipate that we have served our purpose well.
HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME IN VANCOUVER
Filed under KUMON CONVENTION
What Community Leaders in the Greater Vancouver Region say about Kumon
Excerpts from their greetings
“As one of the premier learning centres in the world, Kumon’s method has helped countless children achieve new heights in the personal education goals. The proof is in the results, with more than four hundred Advanced North American Honor Students [at Kumon Happy Learning Centre] and many children being pre-accepted to Canadian universities [annually]. Your dedication to making a difference in the lives of children is admirable.”
Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia
“Education is the backbone of society and we pride ourselves on having opportunities available for every learner. Kumon has grown to be a very popular supplement to the education system in Vancouver as well as our neighbouring communities.”
Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver
“Coquitlam supports the networking, sharing of ideas and experiences that will help to sharpen the skills of educators in their quest to guide children to reach their greatest potential through self learning.
We are also thrilled that our Province, British Columbia is home to Canada’s largest single Kumon centre. We join Kumon Happy Learning Centre in welcoming you to our city.”
Mayor Richard Stewart – City of Coquitlam
“We are pleased to have several Kumon learning centres here on the North Shore to assist our students, and it is interesting to note that the largest centre in North America is located in the Metro Vancouver region. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Kumon delegates for their dedication to helping students achieve their learning goals.”
Mayor Darrell Musatto – City of North Vancouver
“The Kumon Program is an integral part of our educational skill-sets and one that will provide all learners with a solid foundation for their ongoing academic goals. I have witnessed the success of the program firsthand with my daughter Madison’s involvement* and her ability to work through math problems with ease, which at one time posed challenges. We are very fortunate to have the Kumon Program in North America and across the world.”
* Esther Tse’s centre
Mayor Greg Moore – City of Port Coquitlam
“We are happy to learn that the Province of British Columbia is home to Kumon’s single most successful centre in Canada with more than fifty Kumon centres in our province serving the supplementary learning needs of our children to help them excel academically.”
Mayor Derek R. Corrigan – City of Burnaby
“Delta is home to two Kumon learning centres which continue to contribute to strong academic achievements of our youth, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kumon educators for their hard work and dedication.”
Mayor Lois E. Jackson – City of Delta
“It’s wonderful to have this event in the Lower Mainland as many children benefit from the services you provide. With more than fifty Kumon Centres in the province of British Columbia we recognize the impact that you as educators have on our children.”
Mayor Wayne Wright – City of New Westminster
“The Kumon method of learning has been helping students of all ages and abilities gain a richer educational experience for over 50 years. At this conference, educators from all over the world will have an opportunity to meet and share ideas, experiences and skills, all with the aim of helping children reach their utmost potential. We are certainly appreciative of the invaluable service you provide to your students, and the community at large.”
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie – City of Richmond
“Education is one of the most important investments we can make in ourselves and our children; it deeply enriches us, challenges our thinking and changes our perspective on the world. Thank you for your commitment to aiding our youth in achieving their academic potential.”
Mayor Dianne L. Watts – City of Surrey
“Thank you for gracing our community. Richmond is home to people of rich cultural and ethnic diversity. Yet they all have one thing in common: they put great value to educating their children to prepare them adequately to meet enormous challenges of the future. I am privileged to know about Toru Kumon, the Kumon Method of Learning, and how your self-learning program contributes to great academic accomplishments for students at your centres because I am witness to the industry and dedication of two of your colleagues here in our city.
“One of your Kumon centres in Richmond, BC, Canada, has for the past 23 years been providing a service in motivating our young people to be the very best they can be. They have taken your Kumon program from humble beginnings in one centre to that of the largest and most successful single centre of Kumon in North America. They have provided the opportunity for thousands of students to excel. Their program stimulates the minds of many of Richmond’s youth.”
Councillor Bill McNulty – City of Richmond
Filed under KUMON CONVENTION
On the Homestretch – Last Minute Checklist
You are in luck! Summer has finally arrived in Vancouver. If this week is an indication of what the weather will be like when you get here, you will be having a fabulous time. Don’t forget to bring your sun tan lotion, walking shorts, comfortable shoes, and sandals. Bring your swimsuit. However, be ready with your windbreaker or jacket as it cools considerably at night.
We covered this lightly at a previous post. There are many things happening during the week of your stay in Vancouver especially at Stanley Park.
If you are fond of Cole Porter and some of his greatest hits like Anything Goes, Your’re the Top, and I Get a Kick Out of You, you will enjoy the Broadway Musical by the same title (Anything Goes) and watch it under a moonlit night at the Theater Under the Stars (TUTS) at Malkin Bowl. You could also take in Bye Bye Birdie. These are the two musicals featured during the week of your convention.
You can check out the shows here.
You can also check out other “happenings” here.
A complete schedule of JULY activities in Vancouver appears here.
Last week, large crowds gathered in many parts of the city to celebrate Canada Day – July 1st. Although there was a massive throng, none of the shenanigans after the Stanley Cup last game occurred. It shows that people of the city could celebrate together and have fun without being disorderly and disruptive.
Celebrations continue throughout the summer months in Vancouver.
There are so many things to enjoy at Stanley Park 
apart from the musicals at TUTS. Checkout the Wednesday Evening Concerts, Wildflower tours, and Island Hopping here. Schedule of specific activities at the park as shown here. The Sunday evening concerts at the Beveridge Pavilion are free of charge. The Hal McIntyre Orchestra is performing there on Sunday July 17 starting at 6 pm. And if you happen to be taking just a leisurely stroll at the park, you will be entertained by music from the Carillon Concert between 1:30 and 2:30 pm.
Browse major points of interest at Stanley Park here.
Filed under KUMON CONVENTION
On the Homestretch – Public Official Speaks Highly of Kumon
We spoke to one of the City of Richmond’s Councillors, Bill McNulty, who has served the public since 1994. Bill has had an extensive and exceptional record of public service in addition to his many accomplishments.
His public resume speaks highly of his dedication to his calling but what sets him apart is his genuine love for making a difference in the community. He is the most “reachable” public servant in the city – available to his constituents almost 24 hours a day.
As we chatted about the Kumon Vancouver Convention, he recalls the many instances
that he had visited Kumon Happy Learning Centre during several of the school’s annual honor students recognition week where he tells us that he had been keynote speaker. He fondly recalls having had to “share the limelight” with a Clown-Magician performer and an illustrious pianist-impresario who entertained students and parents.
“It is a joy for me to see children transformed from ordinary students to outstanding achievers. It is truly remarkable to witness this school’s contribution to the accomplishment of thousands of students in the city during the last two decades.”
Always at ease with the public and ready to engage anyone in a discussion about city governance or just about any subject, Bill tells us that his most enjoyable time is speaking to parents and hearing about their children’s experience at class or on a soccer field. (Bill is also actively involve in sports.)
He shared a photo keepsake when he met an honor student and his Dad, who is a close (soccer) sports associate (photo on left), at this school’s award affair last year.
Bill has nothing but praise and admiration for Kumon and he is delighted that you are all gathering here in the greater Vancouver region in just a couple of weeks. He is particularly proud of your colleague here in
Richmond (Vivien Hui) for her selfless dedication to her students and the countless hours she devotes guiding hundreds of children in their studies.
Bill personally welcomes you all with his greetings below:
Filed under KUMON CONVENTION
On the Homestretch – Heart Warming Testimonials
“We are educators because we love children” is a statement that reverberates throughout the world for those who have committed themselves to making a difference in the lives of citizens of the future. It is a work of love that may seldom be rewarded materially. Certainly for those who have made this vocation their calling, they are often conferred with more meaningful and abundant blessing.
Here is a story we’d like to share with you.
With positive recommendation from a Saskatoon parent, this lady sent her (three and a half year old) oldest daughter to Ann Lin’s Kumon Centre. Through her child’s warm and positive experience with Ms. Lin, she gained a wonderful perspective of Kumon and when Ann Lin decided to concentrate efforts on her other centre, she asked this lady if there was any interest in “taking over the centre”.
That was about sixteen years ago. She felt that it was a perfect opportunity for her to “balance her family life” and utilize her education background to be engaged in a great pursuit of contributing to students’ success.
Her greatest joy is having students come to her and express their sentiments and appreciation: “I got an A in Math (or Language Arts) on my report card.”
“What a joy to hear those words from them”, she says.
Dealing with parent’s unreasonable and exceptional expectations remains a challenge for her. She says that one of her worst experience was when a father took out his frustration toward his daughter directly on her.
She is not alone. Many other Kumon instructors live with this experience often.
She likes to garden, knit, make costumes for her daughters and photography.
But perhaps what makes this lady most special and inspiring is her positive outlook about life. She had endured a life threatening experience and became a survivor. You can read a touching story of her struggles and triumph here.
Here is her greetings to you all:
“I would like to welcome all Instructors to Vancouver. I have travelled all over the world and I would like say that Vancouver is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Within the reaches of the city, you can find such tranquail places where you can reflect and enjoy nature. From Sea to Sky, can also be a very spiritual experience as well as breath-taking. I do hope that all delegates to the conference can enjoy the natural beauty of British Columbia as well as the conference.”
Updesh Nagpal
Surrey-Strawberry Hill Kumon
Province of British Columbia.
HERE IS ANOTHER NOTE:
Although I am not able to attend the conference in July, my heart has been touched by all efforts you have put and encouragement you have given to me through those e-mails you sent to me. Thank you so much and may God bless this event and may all attendees enjoy the conference in Vancouver.Here’s one of the messages within your e-mail that I have shared with many friends.
Thank you again.
Alice Wang
Kumon of N Garland/E Richardson and Allen-East
Thank you Updesh and Alice for sharing your story and thank you for your messages.
Filed under KUMON CONVENTION
On the Homestretch – Kumon Vancouver Convention – BC Premier Sends Greetings
Along with many of the mayors of the Greater Vancouver Region, the Province of British Columbia’s Premier Christy Clark welcomes you to Vancouver.
What Premier Clark says about literacy: “Literacy is a gift that builds bright and hopeful futures for families.”
The Premier of British Columbia was born in Burnaby and raised by her mom, a family counsellor, and her dad, a school teacher and guidance counsellor.
She became BC’s 35th premier when she was elected leader of the Liberal Party of BC and sworn in last March, 2011. She succeeds former premier Gordon Campbell who was driven out of office because of the controversial HST issue.
Just like Kumon instructors all over the world, Christina Joan Clark “wants to make a difference”. Jonathan Fowlie of the Vancouver Sun wrote extensively about BC’s new premier. We learn that
- She studied at Simon Fraser University, University of Edinburg, and Université de la Sorbonne in Paris
- She was elected as member of the Legislative Assembly of BC in 1996 and served as Minister of Education , Minister Children and Family Development, and as Deputy Premier
- Her dad wanted to be in the public service and ran unsuccessfully for office
- She cared for her mother’s last several dying days, laboring from 4 am in the morning till late at night
- With her mom and dad having gone on to a better place, she says that “The most important person in my life is my only son Hamish who is 10 years old”
- She also worked as a radio talk show host and columnist before re-entering politics to emerge as BC’s new premier
Jonathan Fowlie quoted the following as Mom Christy was talking to her son Hamish:
“He was worried that he would miss me. He was worried that his life would change, a lot,” she said, recalling the conversation where she talked to her son about running for premier.
“He was worried that if I lost I wouldn’t have a job any more and that I wouldn’t be able to support our family. He was worried about practical things and emotional things,” she said.“
I said to him: ‘Hamish, the reason I’m doing this is because I think I can make a difference and if you ever have a chance in life to make a difference for people, you should do it.’“And he said: ‘What if you lose?’
“I said: ‘So what if I lose. If I lose at least I tried.’”
In her letter, she extols the value of your work as Kumon educators.
About the “hundreds of North American Honor Students and many being pre-accepted to Canadian universities”, she refers to the accomplishment of the hundreds of students reaching advanced level of studies annually at Kumon Happy Learning Centre – known to be the largest single Kumon centre in Canada. In their greetings, Mayor Darrell Mussatto and Mayor Richard Stewart both express their joy that this centre with outstanding accomplishment in children’s academic achievement is located in the greater Vancouver region.
KUMON HAPPY LEARNING CENTRE
A Google search of this centre reveals that Vivien Hui, Kumon instructor and director of KHLC, was honored at a similar North American Convention last year in Manhattan, New York, “for guiding the second largest number of students in North America to complete the equivalent of university studies in Mathematics before graduating from high school“
.
She is planked here by Mr. Hideki Kuzusawa, President of Kumon North America, and Mr. Akio Tsunoda, President of Kumon Institute of Education Ltd. Japan. The school’s web page also indicates the following:
“More importantly over the last several years, her Richmond school has been acknowledged to be the single largest learning centre of Kumon throughout North America. Students at her centre come from more than 100 pre-school, primary and secondary schools in Richmond, including more than 20 Montessori and Kindergarten centers.”
KUMON EDUCATION WEEK?
In anticipation of the importance of this convention of Kumon Instructors in our city, one of the cities in the Greater Vancouver Region plans to declare the week of July 11 as an “education week”. We shall follow this “breaking news” and report back as soon as confirmation of this proclamation is received.
Filed under KUMON CONVENTION
