Dr SK Lo - Director and Chief Instructor
Dr. SK Lo is the director and chief instructor of the Edina and Eden Prairie Kumon Centers. She started the Edina Center in April 1991 and the Eden Prairie Center in April 2004.
- Dr. Lo holds a Ph.D. and MS in Theoretical Physics, BA in Mathematics and Physics, and MBA in Business Management. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Tokyo.
- For over 14 years, Dr Lo worked as a senior staff scientist at Honeywell, Inc. She authored and co-authored professional journal papers and several US patents.
- Her teaching experience includes being a summer school teacher then principal for disadvantaged children, a teaching assistant at the university level, as well as a Junior Achievement advisor. A member of the Steering Committee and the Curriculum Chairperson of the Cantonese School in Minnesota, she also taught in the Cantonese school for over two years.
- She was a founding member of the Edina Scientist Youth Forum that provides interaction between scientists and students in Edina.
- She also co-founded the Professional Association of Kumon Center Owners and was its president for 5 years. In 2005, she co-founded the International Association of Kumon Franchisees and has been an active board member and its treasurer since.
- Currently she serves on the Kumon North America Information Technology Advisory Council and on the President Advisory Council.
Mr Sing Lo - Business Partner and Advanced Math Instructor
Mr. Sing Lo holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University with distinction in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. He was a mathematics major at Stanford before switching to electrical engineering.
- Prior to joining Kumon, Mr. Lo was the vice president of management information systems for Department 56, Inc., headquartered in Eden Prairie. Since retirement, he has been working with all math Kumon students as well as in administration, at both the Edina and Eden Prairie Kumon centers.
- Mr. Lo's observation: “It is both a joy and challenge working with children at vastly different levels and aptitudes, especially those who are more advanced. Many of them actually can do math faster than I can."
Mrs Rosalin H Benjamin - Junior Kumon & Advanced Math Instructor
Mrs Rosalin H Benjamin holds a Master of Science degree in Physics, a Master of Philosophy degree in Physics, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer science, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She was honored with three Academic Gold Medals from the University in India.
- She has published research papers on acoustical and thermo dynamical behavior and lattice dynamics. She has also developed microprocessor simulation software.
- Mrs Benjamin has five years of teaching experience for School and University students. She taught algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and computer science to secondary school students, as well as microprocessors, mechanics, electro magnetic theory, communication systems, electronics, digital electronics and mathematical physics for college students. She managed a school computer science laboratory and was responsible for students at different levels of their science and cultural programs.
- Mrs Benjamin believes that Kumon provides a very good environment to encourage continuous learning. She helps advanced math students to develop their skills, as well as assisting with junior Kumon. Her daughter, Jannis Rufina, has been enrolled in the Kumon program since her pre-kindergarten years. Her son is also currently enrolled in Junior Kumon.
Mrs Srivalli Kundurthi - Junior Kumon Lead Instructor
Mrs Srivalli Kundurthi’s educational qualifications (earned in India) include a Diploma in computer methods, a Bachelor’s degree in science with majors in math, physics, and chemistry, and a Master’s degree in applied statistics.
- Mrs. Valli worked for 14 years as a statistical officer in the State Department in India. Later, she worked for three years in a Kumon center in Michigan before coming to work at the Edina and Eden Prairie Kumon centers about 6 years ago.
- Since the opening of the Eden Prairie center, she has been working as an assistant instructor in the Junior Kumon program. “I love the Junior Kumon program and working with younger kids who bring so much energy to the center,” she says.
Ms. Connie Lam – Administrative Assistant and Math/Reading Instructor
Ms. Lam has a Master of Science in Mathematics from University of Minnesota with a minor in Chemistry. She is licensed in Minnesota to teach 5-12 grade math. Growing up in California, she was a Kumon math student there, finishing L level. Kumon inspired her to study math in college.
- She taught math in Inver Grove Highs Community College. Currently she is waiting on assignment for an adjunct position from various local community colleges.
- Her ultimate goal, after gaining more experience in working with students in both high school and Kumon, is to start her own Kumon center. She does plan to stay with us even if she gets the appointment in local community colleges. We are very lucky to have her.
Mr. Patrick Lo – Administrative Assistant and Math/Reading Instructor
Mr. Lo has a Bachelor of History degree from University of Minnesota. He holds the distinction of being the very first student in Edina Kumon Center. He has been involved in our centers for over 10 years, both as a grader, instructor and now added on the responsibility as our office manager
- He is also a first lieutenant in the US Army reserve. He is currently on leave in active duty.
- Even though he majored in history, he finished level N in math and K in Reading. He found both programs really helped him in school and in life.
Mrs Jackie Luna – Junior Kumon & Intermediate Reading Instructor
Mrs. Luna began working at Kumon Edina and Eden Prairie in July of 2005. Her training includes a BS degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota as well as 16-plus years working directly with children. Additionally,her son is enrolled in Kumon Math and Reading program and her daughter is in Junior Kumon
- She has worked for New Horizon, the University of Minnesota Child Care Center, as well as Head Start. On a volunteer basis, she also worked at a homeless shelter, helping young students with homework and other educational activities, as well as Fairview Riverside Hospital in the Children's Mental Health unit. Currently she is involved in PAC, the parent organization at her son's preschool.
- Through these experiences, Mrs. Luna says she “discovered how bright, creative and filled with potential all children are, no matter what background they come from or learning disabilities they have.” Her greatest ambition became that of providing children with the building blocks for a high quality education.
- "Through working in the Kumon program, I have been able to express my values and beliefs to the fullest. The Kumon program allows students to work at their own comfortable pace and helps them gain self-confidence from an early age. Every child should feel he or she can achieve success and has the ability to do great things. It is these values that help make Kumon a wonderful program and an honor to work with.”
Mrs. Molly Starkweather - Intermediate and Advanced Reading Instructor
Molly Starkweather is a committed teacher with a wide variety of experience ranging from consulting at university writing centers, instructing first year college writing classes, and teaching English to language learners. In 2006, Mrs. Startweather graduated summa cum laude from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia with a BA in English Language and Literature. In 2008 she received her MA in Renaissance Studies from the Hudson Strode Program at the University of Alabama. Since then she has taken graduate coursework at various institutions in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), literary criticism, and rhetoric.
- While periodically volunteering as an English instructor for language learners both abroad as well as locally Mrs. Starkweather works at our centers. She also teaches first year composition at St. Cloud State University. Her contribution to the Kumon learning environment is a unique mixture of teaching English for language learners, preparing students for college, and empowering students to become self-motivated learners.
- Mrs. Starkweather's teaching philosophy is informed by both the neo-Platonic optimism that "there is an excellent philosopher in every student" and the social constructionist philosophy that each student has an expertise all his/her own and that the student can grow into a teacher. Her language learning philosophy is heavily informed by the TESOL research of Professor Andrea E. Tyler (Georgetown) and Seon Jeon (Columbus State University, Georgia). She continue her pursuit of teaching excellence by learning from the Kumon teaching philosophy, which resonates with the most established teaching philosophies available.
Mrs Kathy Steen - Intermediate and Advanced Reading Instructor
Kathy Steen's passion has been to instill in children an appreciation of the English language and a desire to read. She entered the educational field thirty years ago as a secondary English teacher in order to achieve that goal. She graduated from South Dakota State University with a B.A. degree and a major in English. She then taught junior high English in Aberdeen, SD, Roseville, MN, and Hopkins, MN, before becoming a full-time mother. She re-entered the educational field in 2003 as a Kumon reading assistant.
- Her perspective of Kumon is unique because she is both a reading assistant for the intermediate and higher-level reading students, and she has been a parent of two Kumon students.
- From the parent perspective, she can attest that Kumon provided an immense support to her two children. Both of her children were given a competitive edge that transferred into their acceptance into colleges of their choice, and subsequently, into rewarding careers. Kumon instilled discipline, study habits, motivation, and knowledge that can only be accomplished by going through the "Kumon process." One of her children is a math program completer. The commitment and dedication that is necessary to be a completer builds character and a sound academic background. The impact of Kumon on her family has been truly amazing.
- As an educator, she is privileged and proud to be a part of Dr. Lo's Kumon team. The reading program is designed for each level to expand grammar concepts, writing skills, vocabulary, and comprehension through the various literary selections. The building blocks are gradual but challenging. It is important for her to provide the incentive and motivation for each student to read and develop an appreciation for literature. The exposure to authors such as Shakespeare, Harper Lee, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, T.S. Eliot, Jane Austen, etc., serves as an excellent introduction to the literary greats. She continues to be impressed by the dedication each student exhibits in his/her commitment to Kumon and its philosophy.
Mr George Werl - Parent Volunteer
George Werl has a Bachelor of Science degree (1974) from Penn State University in Physics and Math and Master of Business Administration (1990) and Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (1997) degrees from the University of Minnesota.
- When not involved in teaching the intricacies of long division he is a Consultant to the Radio and Television broadcast industry in facilities engineering, FCC/FAA proceedings, telecommunications systems and computer hardware and software.
- He is President of Commsulting Incorporated, a Minnesota communications consulting firm.
Mrs. Wing-Yan Thou - Chief Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Thou joined Kumon in 1997 as a grader while she was a senior in Edina High School. She is now managing all the computer data entry and filing for both centers as well as preparing and pulling homework for our math and reading students.
- She greets and checks in all the students during class and makes sure that the homework and class work transition smoothly for each one. When she is not busy, she also answers phone calls during class and the requests of parents and students.
- Prior to immigrating to the U.S. with her family, she had studied in a private school in the U.K. for four years. She also attended the Normandale Community College in Minnesota. She has 3 children; the two older girls are attending Kumon in both Math and Reading. Her youngest son is in Junior Kumon.
Our Center Staff Members
Our center is staffed with highly qualified personnel, many with advanced college degrees, as well as excellent college and high school graders who are great role models for our students. They work with Dr. Lo to assist our students at the center and to prepare for each class. The key role of the instructor and staff is to motivate and guide the students. There is a class size limit in which the average student to staff ratio is better than 3:1.
Junior Kumon
Mrs. Wing-Yan Thou |
Reading
Web AdministratorAldoDesign.com |
Math
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Parent & Student VolunteersWe are extremely fortunate to have a number of dedicated parents who volunteer their precious time to assist us in the classroom and in maintaining our student database. Mrs. Liliana Vega |