A contagious Passion for Math

To be good at something is great, but to be passionate about it, makes all the difference in the world.

Through the years, I have strived to hire people that are passionate about Math and Reading, and about working with kids.  It isn't always easy, as you can imagine.  But I have been very lucky to live in a great college town with such an amazing pool of outstanding young men and women.  We've been blessed to have very competent, bright, and caring individuals working here in the last 8 years.

So, I want to begin featuring in my posts not only amazing students, but also the amazing staff members that we are lucky to have working with our students.  

And I would like to begin with Patricia Goresen.  She is a Math major at OU and she has a true passion and love for Mathematics.  Her warmth and gentleness with our students has stood out from day one.   She puts them at ease and helps them see not only how to do Math, but also that it can be rewarding.  

In addition to that, she is a true role model, specially for our girl students.  Patricia has high goals: she hopes to one day be able to use her Math skills working as a Forensics Analyst with the FBI.  How cool is that!  

And we've noticed something else happening lately:  Patricia's passion for Math seems to be contagious!   Our students tend to gravitate towards her.  They even stay a little bit longer than usual sometimes, just because she makes them feel comfortable as they work in Math.  

Patricia's smile puts
our students at ease,
even when a Math
problem seems daunting.

"I have grown to love working at Kumon because it's not just about hand-holding a student through Math homework, but it actually develops their ability to approach Math independently with confidence and without fear.  Practice not only makes perfect, but it also creates fearless mathematicians!" 

Not everyone knows this, but when students come to Kumon to work with Patricia and the rest of our Math staff, they can stay as long as they want or need at no extra charge.  In that regard, Kumon is like an academic gym.  People don't pay more when they spend more time at the gym working out.

In the end, I want people to know that their local Kumon Center in Norman, Oklahoma, is a warm and inviting place filled with passionate staff members who care about children.  Patricia is one of our best.  

Patricia, thanks for being the way that you are.

Sincerely,

Mauricio Maruri
Kumon of Norman