Community Welcomes New Kumon Math & Reading Center

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new Kumon Math & Reading Center to the Flushing community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Councilman Peter Koo and Dr. Shalini Outram, Director of the Kumon Center, as well as local business leaders and entrepreneurs.

“The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving our community and very happy to welcome Dr. Outram and his new Kumon Math & Reading Center to Flushing, Queens,” stated John Choe,
executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “We need all the help we can get to expand economic opportunities for all those who live and work in our community. Kumon’s educational resources will provide a big boost for local parents and students.”

For more than 50 years, Kumon’s after-school academic enrichment program has helped children achieve success worldwide.

“Kumon’s individualized approach helps children progress by ability rather than age or grade,” stated Dr. Shalini Outram, Director of the Kumon Center. “More than 280,000 preschool to high school aged children across the United States are developing their math and reading skills independently and gaining confidence through the Kumon Method of Learning. The Kumon Center of Flushing-North joins the more than 1,500 U.S. instructors committed to helping children excel through the self-learning program.”

The ceremony kicked-off the grand opening celebrations of Kumon’s new center at 149-36 Northern Blvd #101 in Flushing, NY 11354. The grand opening included a family appreciation night with face painting,
games for children, a parent orientation, and free placement tests. Local children and their parents participated in this free back-to-school event.

In addition to Councilman Peter Koo, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce was joined by Alfred Rankins from the Concerned African-Americans of Flushing, Michael Lam from the Long Island Board of Realtors, Kevin Louie from Cushman & Wakefield, and Maureen Regan from Green Earth Urban Gardens.

"Our public school system is the largest in the country and our parents need resources to help our children compete in this crowded space,” stated Maureen Regan, Founder of Green Earth Urban Gardens Inc. “The learning environment at Kumon Center can ease some of the anxiety as our children prepare for 21st
Century warp speed innovations. It’s a place where our kids can receive the extra help our over-burdened schools cannot give them."

The Director of the Kumon Center, Shalini Outram, Ph.D, is a New York native who graduated from
Townsend Harris H.S., majored in Biology at Barnard College, and earned her Master of Science and Doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of North Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. During her graduate studies, Dr. Outram participated in outreach programs such as Project SCORE, which partners with local high school science teachers to promote science education through designing and teaching Biology laboratory classes. After receiving my doctorate, Dr. Outram worked as a Post-Doctoral fellow at UMDNJ Medical School and participated in biomedical research projects focusing on cancer research. While at UMDNJ, Dr. Outram was introduced to Kumon by a co-worker who spoke very highly of the program. Dr. Outram enrolled his first child in Kumon and so began a life-changing Kumon journey.

“As a Kumon mom, I witnessed how my 2.5 year old daughter gained self-confidence to tackle holding a pencil for the first time and watching words come alive on the page. She learned how to study by practicing her work daily and quickly advanced two-years above her grade level in both Math and Reading at the age of 5,” stated Dr. Outram. “With unwavering commitment, I chose to follow my heart to nurture and develop future brilliant minds as a Kumon instructor. I am dedicated to fostering the potential of all of my students in their pursuit of academic success.”

The new Kumon Center in Flushing is a member of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit association that fosters the economic growth, inclusive diversity, and shared prosperity of our community through advocacy, networking, and education. For more information, go to www.flushingchamber.nyc.