Rego Park native opens Kumon Center

At just 24-years-old, Lily Jiang is doing what many seasoned professionals don’t have the courage to do. She’s taking the leap of faith and becoming a small business owner, opening Kumon Math and Reading Center of Rego Park.

After working as a preschool teacher for the past year, Jiang knew she was in the right line of work; she had a passion for positively impacting the lives of youth.

She wanted to continue her passion for education, but was also interested in owning her own business. That’s how she came across Kumon, the world’s largest after-school math and reading program.

“I come from a family of educators, but I was also really drawn to the idea of owning my own business. Kumon offered me the best of both worlds,” said Jiang. “I was immediately drawn to Kumon because it’s not just about education. It teaches life skills and allows students to soar past their grade level.”

There are 43 Kumon Math and Reading Centers in New York City, including 13 in the borough of Queens. The addition of Rego Park is part of Kumon’s 2018 expansion plan of welcoming 100 new franchisees nationwide.

The Kumon Method empowers preschool to high school-aged children to become self-learners. It is designed to advance math and reading skills while fostering a love for learning.

It goes beyond traditional tutoring by actively developing critical thinking skills as children progress independently through a carefully crafted curriculum.

“I have lived in the community since I attended middle school, so I know the neighborhood very well,” said Jiang. “I hope to reach out to the parents within the community so everyone is aware of all the benefits Kumon has to offer.”

Kumon Franchisees must have a four-year college degree, be proficient in math and reading, have investment capital of $70,000 and a net worth of at least $150,000. Founded in 1958, Kumon has over four million students enrolled in nearly 25,000 learning centers in 50 countries and regions.