Nagma Akbar, owner of the Hollister Kumon Math and Reading
Center, knows how it feels to have a child struggling to keep up
with classmates.
Nagma Akbar, owner of the Hollister Kumon Math and Reading Center, knows how it feels to have a child struggling to keep up with classmates.
“I have two children ages 8 and 3,” said Akbar. “Last year I went into my eldest son’s classroom and I noticed he was sitting off at a table away from the other desks. When I asked his teacher why, I was told that my son was struggling to keep up in math. He was still counting on his fingers and worked much slower than most of his classmates.”
Akbar decided to research various methods to help her son work toward grade level. After careful research that included talking to many parents, Akbar enrolled her son in a Kumon Math and Reading Center.
“When I went to the center, I noticed a bunch of children sitting at desks working on math,” Akbar said. “They were all working so fast and independently. Two months into the program my son was working on grade level. Now he’s ahead of his class and on the honor roll.”
Akbar was so impressed with the program, she decided to do further research. With a degree in accounting and a minor in math, Akbar spent her college years tutoring others.
“Though I have my degree in accounting, what I really love is teaching,” she said. “I know how to teach and felt if this program helped my son so well, I would love to use it to help others. There are quite a few levels of math with the Kumon program. There’s everything from pre-school math to calculus. We accept students through college.”
The Kumon program began in Japan in 1954. Toru Kumon, the founder, was a math teacher whose son was struggling in second grade math. What he realized was that the basic foundations of math weren’t clear. So he started making worksheets for his son. Four years later, his son was doing calculus and friends were asking Kumon to teach their children.
The first center was opened in 1958 and now the Kumon program is used in 43 countries with more than 3 million participants, with more than 94 centers in California alone.
Akbar spent the next six months training to become a Kumon program teacher. She bought a franchise and started looking for a place to open a math and reading center.
“I live in south San Jose,” Akbar said. “Our area is saturated with Kumon Centers. I knew where Hollister was and from the moment I came here I felt comfortable. I feel that the people here care about their children, enough to get them help if they need it. Everyone from the Chamber of Commerce to the people at Hometown Hello and Sue Rocha have been very helpful to me.
“When I was checking out programs for my son I couldn’t believe how expensive they were. Some programs encouraged people to take out loans against their homes. Our program is nothing like that. We’re very affordable.”
According to Akbar, parents interested in helping their children can stop by and check the center. She is more than willing to answer any and all questions regarding the program.
“When students first come here, they’ll take a placement test,” Akbar said. “That tells me what level they are at. We have our own curriculum which is designed specifically for the different levels. We believe in giving our students instant feedback so once a student is done with their worksheets, I’ll grade them and give it back to them if changes are needed.
“Our reading program is very good. It takes our students into writing as well. Studies have shown that repetition gets the mind going. Our program is individualized and is not only for students who are trying to keep up with their grade level. We also offer enrichment programs. I also like to do parent conferences to keep parents updated on their child’s progress.
“When students are doing well in school, it helps with their overall confidence.”
For more information about the Hollister Kumon Math and Reading Center, call 637-4567 or visit the center at 191 San Felipe Road, Suite G-1.
