Just in time for school to start, Kumon Learning Centers has opened in the Cypress Village Shopping Center.
Steve Danis, aka Coach Steve, runs the center for math and reading instruction and is a teacher, too.
Danis, who lives in Hollywood, decided to open the center after working as a substitute teacher.
“I realized in teaching that the schools do an amazing job, but the teachers are really hampered by the fact that there is a certain number of kids [in a class],” Danis said.
Danis also found that a classroom can hold kids who may not all be at the same level of learning and may advance at different paces.
Danis said he chose Miami Lakes for the center because it was the region offered to him by Kumon, though he has been familiar with the community for years.
With Kumon, Danis said he can be more hands on with students and monitor their progress as they work.
He said, “Every child is going to progress at their own level,” known at Kumon as “just the right level.”
“We do individualized lesson plans for each child, monitor their progress, we don’t move on to another concept until they master the concept they’re working on,” Danis said.
Kumon uses paper worksheets or its new learning programs loaded onto iPads.
Danis’ goal is to help students become confident and independent learners, using the Kumon system.
“My job as the head instructor, or head coach as I like to call myself, is to find the keys that will unlock the motivation for the child,” Danis said. “I feel like this is important work.”
Kumon serves students ages four to 18, whether they are enrolled in traditional schools, are being taught at home or may have learning disabilities.
“The main demographic is kindergarten to fourth grade,” Danis said.
Kids attend Kumon classes two times a week and take work sheets home. The length of a class is determined by each student’s individual learning needs.
As of Aug. 7, Kumon had enrolled 18 students. It has two assistant teachers, and Danis hopes to add one more teacher and more students.
Tuition is $225 per month, per subject. There is no contract or deposit.
“If you dual enroll (in both math and reading) you get a discount for the second subject,” Danis said.
For more information call 786-358-8558, ext. 2, or visit 7331 Miami Lakes Drive.
For an assessment go to http://bit.ly/40RYQfl.