Twenty-eight years ago, JiJi® the ST Math penguin waddled into classrooms for the first time, changing the way teachers and students experience math.
Today, many educators who started that journey years ago are still using ST Math to inspire new generations of learners.
Three of them—Joy Forgiarini, Socoro Alvarez, and Katie Brown—share what it’s been like to grow alongside JiJi.
Together, they represent more than half a century of experience bringing JiJi into their classrooms at Peterson Elementary, watching both their students and the program grow.
Over the decades, they’ve seen firsthand how a visual, puzzle-based approach can deepen understanding, strengthen perseverance, and spark joy in learning—proving that meaningful math experiences can grow and evolve right alongside the teachers who bring them to life.
The Joy of Growth: Joy Forgiarini’s Journey
As a second-grade teacher with over 30 years in the classroom, Joy Forgiarini has watched ST Math evolve right alongside her students. From the early days of simple puzzles to today’s ever-expanding challenges, she has seen firsthand how JiJi continues to inspire curiosity and persistence.
“My students love that they’re able to accomplish a goal from beginning to end,” Ms. Forgiarini says. “Even when it gets more challenging, they love moving to the next island and seeing what’s ahead.”
Over the years, she has appreciated how ST Math continues to refresh its puzzles, adding variety and rigor to keep things engaging. The program has evolved into a comprehensive, year-round experience, keeping students challenged and motivated throughout the year.
“I love that it’s more challenging now,” she explains. “The new puzzles keep it exciting for both me and my students.”
In Ms. Forgiarini’s classroom, ST Math isn’t just an add-on; it’s the foundation of daily math time. What began as a weekly computer lab session has become a 20-minute daily routine. Students also choose JiJi as a “may do” activity when they finish other work, eager to return to puzzles they found difficult earlier.
But perhaps the most powerful lesson she teaches comes from what happens when students get stuck. She reminds them that struggle is part of learning.
“When I tell them, ‘Your brain is growing right now,’ they start to understand that getting something wrong means progress,” she says. “When they finally get it on their own, that’s when their confidence soars.”
Empowering Independence: Socoro Alvarez’s Kindergarten Experience
In Ms. Alvarez’s kindergarten classroom, ST Math has become a cornerstone of independent learning. Having taught for many years across grade levels, she has found JiJi especially powerful for her youngest learners.
“They feel empowered that they can do this all on their own from day one,” Socoro says. “They log in by themselves, get right to work, and rarely need help.”
That sense of independence is especially meaningful in a diverse classroom.
Socoro teaches students who speak many languages, from Spanish to Arabic to Japanese. ST Math’s visual and language-free design makes math accessible to everyone.
“It’s not dependent on language,” she explains. “No matter what language they speak at home, they all understand JiJi’s puzzles and the feedback. That consistency has been so powerful over the years.”
Ms. Alvarez also appreciates how the platform has evolved to give teachers more flexibility. She can now adjust levels for individual students, providing extra practice or additional challenge when needed.
“I love being able to manage that myself,” she says. “That change was awesome.”
Beyond the screen, JiJi helps Ms. Alvarez connect math to the world around her students. Whether they’re coloring, creating patterns, or singing songs, she helps them see math everywhere.
“They’ll say, ‘Oh, that’s like when JiJi does this!’” she shares. “They understand that math is in everything they do.”
For Ms. Alvarez, ST Math is more than a program. It’s a mindset that helps students see themselves as capable, creative problem solvers from the very beginning.
Play, Positivity, and Purpose: Katie Brown’s 3rd Grade Classroom
In Ms. Brown’s third-grade class, math time begins with excitement the moment JiJi appears on screen.
“It’s always positive,” she says. “If I say, ‘Open your math book,’ I get groans. But when I say, ‘Open your Chromebook, we’re going on JiJi,’ the room lights up.”
Ms. Brown’s students love that ST Math feels like a game, yet she knows it’s so much more.
She thoughtfully organizes puzzle sequences to align with her classroom lessons, helping students start the year with confidence. “I set it up to mimic what’s being taught in class,” she explains. “That way, they feel successful early on instead of getting stuck right away.”
She also values the program’s accessibility. Many of her students don’t have devices at home, so she ensures they get at least 15 to 20 minutes of JiJi time each day.
Parents, too, appreciate how ST Math encourages independence.
“I love that parents can’t just give away the answers,” Ms. Brown laughs. “Students have to think through it themselves, and that’s what makes it powerful.”
Ms. Brown’s classroom culture reflects JiJi’s philosophy: math is something to look forward to, not fear. Her students even ask first thing in the morning whether they’ll be doing ST Math that day.
20 Years of Change and Continuity
Though they teach different grades, Ms. Forgiarini, Ms. Alvarez, and Ms. Brown share a common perspective: ST Math has been a constant source of growth for their students and for themselves.
Across two decades, they’ve seen new puzzles, new tools, and new technology, yet the heart of the program remains the same. It empowers learners to think deeply, persevere through challenges, and find joy in discovery.
“It’s that consistency,” Ms. Alvarez reflects. “JiJi’s always there, helping students make sense of math in their own way.”
A Lasting Legacy of Learning
For 20 years and counting, JiJi has inspired students to see math as something they can explore, not just complete. And for educators like Joy, Socoro, and Katie, ST Math continues to be a trusted partner in helping every child realize that math is for everyone.
Here’s to the next 20 years of curiosity, challenge, and joy with JiJi leading the way.
