Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikita Ganatra.
Nikita, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am the girl who started her journey in a small town called Junagadh and have kept going forward and never looking back. How I got here is a bit tough to put into a few words – so many people, so many experiences, so many heartbreaks and tough decisions – all have contributed to my life thus far that isolating a few highlights seems impossible – truly. And yet, as I am about to finish, my 6-year old says, the impossible is just the “unimpossible”. 🙂
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Our road thus far with Kumon has been full of challenges and lots of learning. To start with, in 2012 we welcomed our son Sahil, who is now 6 years old. I often joke that we were raising two babies simultaneously – him and Kumon.
We opened Kumon – our second baby- in May of 2013, but the prior year, I was going through training in New Jersey, scouting a location for the center, learning about commercial leases and every possible aspect of running a business! Remember, I was a teacher with former training, a classroom full of kids and a curriculum I that was handed to me to teach, with teacher’s notes and all 🙂 – not much was left to me to decide. But with Kumon, I had to make all the decisions without having any experience in making those decisions – no tools, no guidebook to follow and no kids to teach, yet.
Both were in their infancy and boy did I have moments of self-doubt! Once you become a mom, something inside of you changes. You are in a constant state of decision-making about a new life you have brought to the world for which you have no prior experience or training – it is the internship of a lifetime! Alongside, I was frustrated that I wasn’t able to do either of my jobs well, let alone being a partner to my husband, Sanjeev. You see, I like to do things well – I believe if you are going to do something, do it well.
Now, as a seasoned entrepreneur, I have learned that in business and in life, somethings you just get started with and then learn along the way. I wish I had known that when I first started, but the experience is the greatest of teachers and I see what joy I experience when I can say, yes, it was tough, but I got through it and I am ready to do it again and do it better! My kids at the center feel the same elation when they come across a challenge and instead of giving the answer, we walk them through the process of figuring it out and the “aha” moment that comes after – nothing can take the place of that sweet moment of success!
Of course, the road to anything that you are building from scratch is never smooth and challenges are plentiful. For us to be where we are, it has been the support of our village that has helped us step on one rung at a time while holding they hold the ladder – my husband Sanjeev – my rock, son and inspiration – Sahil, our resilient parents, loving uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, my right-hand – Miss Desiree, the city of Lake Forest Economic Development, Lake Forest City Council, our center’s staff members, Kumon’s staff, and all the parents that have trusted us in helping their kids!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Foothill Ranch story. Tell us more about the business.
For more than 50 years, Kumon’s after-school academic enrichment program has helped children achieve success worldwide. We strive to instill in children the desire to achieve and the motivation to learn on their own. Whether your child is seeking enrichment, needs help catching up or is just beginning his or her academic career, Kumon is designed to help him or her develop a love of learning.
Students advance through the program at their own pace. Our emphasis on individualized learning helps your child become focused, motivated and self-reliant. We monitor each child’s progress to ensure comprehension before moving on to a new concept. With a strong academic foundation, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, your child has the potential to achieve whatever he or she desires.
The Kumon Math Program is a comprehensive curriculum that develops the necessary skills to help children progress from counting through calculus. The Kumon Reading Program begins with basic phonics and progresses all the way through advanced reading comprehension.
We believe a strong foundation is essential to academic and personal success. Our mission is to provide children in our local community an opportunity to build and master foundational skills in the areas of Math and Reading while developing complimentary study and time management skills vital for future success in our global economy.
Keeping in mind the original mission of Kumon, that “by discovering the potential of each individual and developing his or her ability to the maximum, we aim to foster sound, capable people and thus contribute to the global community,” we at Kumon Math & Reading Center of Foothill Ranch will strive to provide each student with individualized instruction that is self-paced to allow for mastery of essential concepts in Math and Reading that are fundamental to future academic success in high school and beyond!
Kumon provides a unique opportunity to excel well beyond the curriculum in school. As a former GATE teacher, I can see the value of accessing enrichment for those students who have mastered grade-level curriculum and are looking for a challenge as well as for those who need to fill the gaps in their learning. Our Placement Tests allow us to decide a starting point that is “just-right” for the student.
As a credentialed teacher with experience and training in various K-12 education settings, I am able to support and nurture students using evidence and research-based strategies for academic and social-emotional needs. Building relationships and creating safe, positive environment is a prerequisite to learning. To this end, my staff and I actively work to get to know each of our students and provide an open-door policy for communication with parents and students alike. Kids are all different and have different needs. We keep this in mind with all that we do and make it our mission to give each child what he or she needs, not a standardized, one-size-fits-all model.
We also welcome opportunities to collaborate with teachers to become partners in the education of children who are remedial as well as those well beyond their grade level.
Through attendance at conferences and webinars, I am constantly striving to improve my craft with new learning in and out of the center. I recently attended Leaders to Learn From in Washington D.C. and will be attending International Literacy Association’s Conference in Summer 2018. Learning and teaching is truly my passion and I wish to share this passion with as many kids as I can – my Kumon center allows me to do just that!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck – I know that hard work and resilience opens doors to opportunities. Preparation is key; planning is vital – things don’t always work out the way you have planned them, but the likelihood of success drastically improves when you are intentional about anything in life. This is why, Kumon’s approach to learning is a perfect fit for me – if you engage in active learning, you will improve.
No one is born smart, but through effort and persistence, you will move forward and succeed well beyond your own expectations – unlocking your true potential! But the road to that potential is just that – a road. You have to be willing to walk on it, one step at a time, and sometimes, make a path where none exists!
Pricing:
- Tuition per subject is $160.00/Month
- Registration – $50 due at enrollment
Contact Info:
- Address:Â 26741 Portola Parkway, Suite 1B
- Website:Â www.kumon.com/foothill-ranch
- Phone:Â 949-238-8100
- Email:Â [email protected]
- Facebook:Â www.facebook.com/foothillranchkumon
- Twitter:Â @nganatra
- Yelp:Â https://www.yelp.com/biz/kumon-math-and-reading-center-of-foothill-ranch-foothill-ranch
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