Dianne Leoni, who is in her 26th year teaching with Hillsborough Township Public Schools, has collaborated with a national educational company to develop Coin Tiles, a product that helps children identify coins and make change.
A mathematics teacher and specialist at Amsterdam Elementary School, Leoni worked with Illinois-based ETA hand2mind, the leader in hands-on education materials for more than 40 years, to produce and market her product. Coin Tiles has been released to the education market and helps students visualize the value of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
”We all use swipe cards now and kids are not getting as much practice or exposure to using coins and making change,” said Ms. Leoni, who also authored the accompanying teacher workbook. “Their day-to-day experience with using coins is limited; while there are benefits to the advancements technology brings, we still need to recognize that there are skills and background knowledge associated with money that should not be lost.”
””“”With the creation of Coin Tiles, Leoni said she wanted to deliver more than beneficial curriculum.
”It’s really satisfying to see my idea and vision realized, and it’s a great life lesson for my students, as well as my own children. Here’s a real-life example of the value of perseverance: setting a goal, overcoming obstacles and seeing it through to success,” Ms. Leoni said.
”Dianne is an engaging classroom teacher, and her students thoroughly enjoy her instructional methods,” said Dr. Jorden Schiff, superintendent for Hillsborough Township Public Schools. “Her 25 years of dedication to Hillsborough students is an asset to our school district and now, with her creation of Coin Tiles, an asset to the elementary math teaching community as well.”
For information on ETA hand2mind, visit www.hand2mind.com.

