PHOENIX, AZ-Third-grade teacher Diana
Schlepp is smiling as she walks the campus of Solano Elementary
School. She's still smiling as she greets students in her
classroom. She has reason to smile; one of her students, Henry
Amancha, is currently the #1 First In Math player-all grades-in the
state of Arizona.
"We are so excited for Henry," says Schlepp.
"He earned nearly 14,000 virtual 'stickers' in the program and has
completed all of the Know & Show units and Gyms through
Integers, which is quite an accomplishment for a third-grader."
Schlepp believes his effort-and the First in Math site-have made
the difference.
Henry Amancha, pictured at left and with
his third-grade classmates, says he enjoys the challenge the
First In Math program offers.
"Henry is a great kid with an amazing work
ethic who is constantly striving to do his best-he loves to be
challenged," says Schlepp. "He takes extra work home just because
he wants to excel. In fact, most of his effort in First in Math has
been from home." Schlepp points out that Amancha is an English
Language Learner, and mostly Spanish is spoken at home. She
believes FIM not only improved his math skills, but his reading
skills, as well. "I'm proud of the fact that he has shown great
improvement in both areas of academics, and has made the honor
roll."
"Our whole family knows about Henry's
success in First In Math, and is very proud," according to his
mother. Solano Master Teacher Jill Crossley says that when she
asked Amancha's parents what their message would be to other
parents in terms of helping their children set and achieve goals,
they responded resolutely with one phrase-spend time with them. The
Amanchas spend time together every day and have rules about TV
watching and bedtimes, but occasionally allow the rules to be
broken as a reward. Both parents believe it is important to be well
rounded, and are proud that their son excels in sports, in school
and in other areas.
Schlepp says Amancha helped provide support
to one of her autistic students just because he enjoys helping
others. He was elected to student council, and has helped with a
carwash, served patrons at a spaghetti dinner and been an
enthusiastic supporter of all student council activities.
Solano is currently ranked as the #3 FIM
school in the state of Arizona, all grades, and Schlepp feels
strongly that Amancha is only one of many success stories the
program has helped create. Recently, another of her students was
scheduled for special education testing after the first trimester.
"But after the second trimester grades came out she had grown so
much academically that she did not qualify. We acknowledge First In
Math for a lot of her success. She has already earned more than
5,000 stickers and loves it-and the learning."