Each year, MIND Education honors one of our extraordinary school partners with the Paco Bazaar Award, recognizing a community that exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and a true love of learning through ST Math. This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools as the 2025 Paco Bazaar recipient—a district whose dedication to cultivating a vibrant JiJi culture shines in every classroom and hallway. Their work reflects the heart of the Paco Bazaar Award: joyful learning, community-driven growth, and a commitment to expanding what’s possible for students.
A JiJi Culture That Inspires
Walk into any of Gahanna Jefferson’s middle schools, and you’ll immediately feel the energy: bulletin boards bursting with puzzle celebrations, classrooms buzzing with students eager to tackle new challenges, and teachers cheering on progress at every turn. This is a district where math learning is celebrated, not just measured, and where every student’s journey toward problem-solving is honored.
Their commitment to implementing ST Math at the middle school level has created an environment where curiosity thrives and perseverance pays off. From Puzzle Talks to station rotations, the Gahanna Jefferson team has built a space where math learning is dynamic, engaging, and joyful.
A Model of Partnership and Growth
That spirit of openness and collaboration was especially evident when six members of the Birmingham City Schools team traveled to Gahanna, Ohio, to see ST Math in action. Their visit began with an engaging presentation highlighting Gahanna Jefferson’s strategies for building a thriving JiJi culture and the impact those efforts have had across their middle schools.
Educators then toured three schools, observing firsthand how ST Math comes to life in different classrooms. They saw students deeply engaged in puzzles, teachers facilitating meaningful discussions, and celebrations woven seamlessly throughout the school day; clear indicators of a culture that values thinking, exploration, and perseverance.
The visit concluded with both teams coming together to share reflections and exchange ideas. One Birmingham participant captured the moment perfectly:
The visit left me feeling inspired and deeply encouraged by the power of partnership in education.
This exchange underscores why Gahanna Jefferson is being honored: their willingness to lead, collaborate, and support learning communities beyond their own district.
Voices From the District: Growing a Culture of Mathematical Thinking
For Gahanna Jefferson, the impact of ST Math is visible every day. Kim Frasher, Curriculum Coordinator for K–12 Mathematics, shared that one of the most meaningful shifts has been in students’ math identity. “Students are finding success regardless of their previous ‘math identity,’” Kim explained. “ST Math gives them multiple ways to access learning without relying solely on traditional procedures.”
The visual, conceptual foundation has also become a powerful bridge to their core curriculum, CPM. Teachers often hear students connect puzzle experiences to classroom lessons—frequently saying, “This is when JiJi…”—as they link what they see on the screen to grade-level content.
Just as importantly, ST Math is nurturing perseverance across the district. By engaging students in productive struggle, the program is helping build resilience and confidence in every classroom. As Kim shared, these “tangible benefits” are why Gahanna Jefferson’s commitment to ST Math remains so strong.
Partnership in Action: Empowering Teachers and Students
The district’s success is rooted not only in culture but also in strong partnerships.ormer curriculum leader Sharon Suriano highlighted the pivotal role of matched donorship from General Motors, which has expanded access to meaningful mathematical experiences for both students and teachers across all three middle schools.
She emphasized the impact of ST Math’s professional learning team, who—together with district instructional coaches—have provided consistent, responsive support tailored to Gahanna Jefferson’s needs. Teachers frequently share gratitude for these sessions and the practical strategies they can implement immediately.
Sharon highlighted how students now experience targeted assignments, puzzle talks, goal setting, and opportunities to extend learning at home. These experiences have deepened students’ understanding, strengthened their confidence, and connected their classroom work to a broader, districtwide vision for mathematics learning.
Her reflections capture the heart of thepartnershipbetween MIND Education,General Motors and the Gahanna Jefferson team: a shared commitment to ensuring every student has access to challenging, joyful, and meaningful mathematics.
Recognizing Excellence Through the Paco Bazaar
At the close of the visit, we were proud to present the Gahanna Jefferson team with the 2025 Paco Bazaar Award. This honor recognizes not only their hospitality but also their ongoing commitment to student learning and their leadership as true partners in our shared mission to help students solve the world’s most challenging problems.
Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools reminds us that great learning doesn’t happen in isolation—it grows through community, curiosity, and collaboration. Their example sets a powerful standard for what is possible when a district embraces innovation and invests deeply in its students and educators.
Congratulations, Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools, and thank you for continuing to inspire us. We can’t wait to see how your JiJi culture continues to grow and lead the way for districts across the country.
