NGPF held its first ever “Why Math Matters” contest in February. The contest focused on students' answers to the prompt, "Why does math matter when discussing taxes and tax brackets?"

Students in middle and high school classrooms throughout the U.S. participated, then their teachers selected up to 3 of their favorite contest submissions as finalists. From there, the NGPF Math Curriculum Team selected the top 3 classrooms with the best submissions.

Congratulations to the winning classrooms, whose teachers will each be awarded local restaurant gift cards to host pizza parties! Well done!

• Amanda Nixon’s Algebra Class from Mid-South Gifted Academy in Collierville, TN
• Erin Magalhaes’s Personal Finance Class from Heritage Middle School in Livingston, NJ
• Dawn Reiko Funaki’s Algebra and Financial Literacy Class from Concord Middle School in Concord, MA

Missed out on February's "Why Math Matters" contest? We're running another!

Your students can win a pizza party too! Have your students respond to a NEW Prompt from the Investing Strategies Edition of NGPF’s Why Math Matters contest. Submission Deadline Friday, April 8th.

May the pepperoni be in your favor!

About the Authors

Dave Martin

Dave joins NGPF with 15 years of teaching experience in math and computer science. After joining the New York City Teaching Fellows program and earning a Master's degree in Education from Pace University, his teaching career has taken him to New York, New Jersey and a summer in the north of Ghana. Dave firmly believes that financial literacy is vital to creating well-rounded students that are prepared for a complex and highly competitive world. During what free time two young daughters will allow, Dave enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, gardening, and taking naps.

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her partner and dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.