Toru Kumon began creating worksheets to help his son struggling in math. In this work, Kumon developed an educational model of self-learning for students. This model is now franchised by Kumon throughout the world, including in the United States. Kumon instructors execute the method and follow students through a process from initial assessment to a plan and achievement of student goals. The following Kumon instructor job description explains the roles and skills needed of Kumon instructors and the prospects for finding work in this provider of supplemental education.

Job Overview: What Does a Kumon Instructor Do?

Kumon instructors assess the abilities and needs of students, furnish the worksheets and tools and coach the students through their learning. Their responsibilities include instilling confidence for students to discover how to solve math problems and comprehend reading passages. According to Kumon, the job description of an instructor is not so much tutoring. Instead, it entails facilitating and guiding the student’s education and acquisition of math and reading knowledge and skills.

kumon instructor job description

Kumon Instructor Job Description for Resume – Responsibilities

  • Administer diagnostic tests.
  • Prepare lesson plans for students.
  • Assist students with work during class.
  • Lead students in finding answers to questions.
  • Guide students in determining methods to solve math problems.
  • Assign homework.
  • Grade classwork and homework assignments.
  • Offer feedback, progress reports and suggestions to students and their parents.
  • Bill parents for and collect tuition.
  • Consult with franchise owner on needed supplies and assistant instructors.

Kumon Instructor Job Essential Skills

Analytical Skills. The Kumon instructor job description includes the ability to assess the strengths and needs of students. The analysis starts with the student’s enrollment for an initial assessment. Analytical skills are necessary for the instructor to interpret the results and assign the proper level and type of work or course of study to the student.

Discipline Skills. Kumon declares the self-discipline of students as part of its goals. Instructors need skills in modeling the necessary discipline. This involves attention to tasks and details, time management and perseverance. Kumon instructors need to avoid displaying frustration and disorganization.

Interpersonal Skills. The Kumon instruction method features continual acknowledgment of a student’s achievements and progress. Instructors need skills such as patience with students, assuring and encouraging students and respectfully receiving and responding to parent questions.

Math Skills. Kumon’s math curriculum includes counting, math operations, trigonometry, algebra, calculus, positive and negative numbers, and fractions. Instructors must have skills in determining what operations or formulas are involved in a word problem and how to execute them.

Reading Skills. Strong reading comprehension skills are also an important part of the Kumon instructor job description. This includes the understanding of vocabulary, different meanings of a word, the context of passages, and abstract principles. Instructors must be able to guide students in reading skills that include understanding the ideas and meanings of paragraphs, and summarizing and critiquing material.

How to Become a Kumon Instructor Professional

Kumon instructors are educators at heart. However, these professionals must grasp an educational model different from that presented in college educational programs or training. In particular, Kumon instructors become immersed in the Kumon model of education, while drawing on principles of math and reading.

Education & Training Requirments

As a general rule, Kumon instructors must have a college degree to become an instructor or own a franchise, if the instructor also owns the franchise. Degrees in elementary or secondary education, mathematics, English or reading are also helpful.

Kumon instructors, especially franchisees or those who run company-owned sites should also possess some business education. These classes or minors may include business administration, marketing or management.

Kumon trains instructors in the company’s methods, curriculum, worksheets and products used for students. For franchise applicants who pass the initial acceptance phase, Kumon affords 12 days of training over four months at a regional office and at “Kumon University” in Teaneck, New Jersey. The session covers the course of study, worksheets, learning methods and the necessary business skills for running a franchise.

Work Experience

Kumon sites generally prefer that applicants have experience working with children or youth. This can come through working in schools, learning centers, libraries, daycares, day camps run during vacation or weekend periods, and tutoring. Also, volunteer work, which can demonstrate to Kumon a commitment to working with children.

Applicants for Kumon instructor positions should include on their resumes prior work as a teacher, tutor or librarian. While teaching experience may prove helpful, it is not necessarily a requirement. In fact, some Kumon franchisees consider the instructor position as an entry-level into school.

Work Schedules

Depending on the owner, Kumon sites hold sessions on certain days and hours. These may be as little as two days per week, while some Kumon sites operate on weekends. As a result, Kumon instructors generally work part-time. The company offers instructor jobs as opportunities for supplemental income for those working another job or stay-at-home individuals.

Aside from working with students, Kumon instructors periodically attend training and other workshops. At these sessions, Kumon officials and staff explain new products and techniques to the instructors. Kumon may hold these conferences on weekends or over multiple days, necessitating travel by the Kumon instructors.

Career Prospects

Tutoring services and related enterprises have experienced considerable demand in recent years. According to Franchise Help, the tutoring industry in the United States had a value of $7 billion. In 2016, educational services drew from a potential customer base of 55 million students in kindergarten through the 12th grade.

Opportunities for many franchises and other entrepreneurs are buoyed by the overall economic advantages. Franchise Help reports that six to nine dollars in gross profits come from fees or tuition charged by these services. Net profit margins range from two to ten percent. Further, the tutoring and educational service field faces challenges in finding qualified instructors. This may bode well for prospective Kumon instructors.

However, Kumon’s franchise model of on-site services may impede some job growth. With this approach comes the necessity for potential franchisees to acquire or lease space. To cover the financial requirements and generate a profit, Kumon site owners tend to locate in areas with high populations of families or schools. In these locations should Kumon instructors find the stronger opportunities.

Conclusion

Kumon relies on an educational model that emphasizes self-learning by students and the confidence it bestows when students achieve a goal. Kumon’s instructors drive the process through furnishing worksheets and working with students. Applicants for these jobs must demonstrate a commitment to working with children and youth, as well as strong abilities in math and reading. Those who get the Kumon instructor job description can find extra income as well as contribute to a minor’s educational success.