Champions
of Math

Join us in celebrating the people who make First in Math special.

Hall of Fame

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An annual award given to the #1 Player First in Math player across all grades!

Temidire Tanimowo

Temidire Tanimowo is the #1 Player, All Grades, in the First In Math® Online Program for the 2020-2021 school year! A fourth grader at Mueller Elementary in Texas, he is only the second fourth-grader to win the Grand Prize and a repeat First In Math National All Star. After placing #4 as a third-grader, Temidire set a clear goal and executed a winning strategy—tackling the hardest games first and maintaining a strong lead. First In Math creator Robert Sun praises his achievement, noting that he completed all 240+ games, solved over 240,000 problems, and dedicated 700 hours to his success. An avid learner, Temidire also enjoys chess, tennis, and trivia games, as well as spending time with his biggest fan—his younger brother, Jikore.

Honorable Mentions

Players

Temidire Tanimowo (TX) Doron Fox (PA) Matan Fox (PA) Mark Chentsov-Kalish (PA) James McCusker (PA) Tucker Johnston (GA) Luca Merkle (PA) Jayden XU (GA) Victor Nikolaev (NJ)

Team Leaders

Nicole Purdy (PA) Anna Latch (PA) Brian Dougans (PA) Stephanie Sillo (PA) Denise Laudenslager (PA) Stephanie Sillo (PA) Phyliss Elder (GA) Mary Higgins (PA) Erin McCormick (PA) Tarabeth McFadden (PA)

Schools

St. Francis de Sales School (PA) Anne Frank School (PA) Notre Dame de Lourdes School (PA) Chesterbrook Academy West Chester (PA) Shawnee Elementary School (PA) O’Bryant School of Math & Science (MA) Reiffton School (PA) Spring Garden Elementary School (PA) St. Laurence School (PA) St. Anthony-Padua Regional Catholic School (PA)

Top Educator Players

David Leith (TX) Alison Allen (FL) Mary Higgins (PA) Phyliss Elder (GA) Robert Beck (FL) Mickey Komins (PA) M. Lisa Butchy (PA)

2021

Spirit in Education

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A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.

February

Amy Kravetz

- @amy_kravetz

5th grade teacher, Clearview Elementary Bethlehem Area School District, PA

2021

January

Isiah Guinyard

- @mistergee21

Elementary Math Program Coordinator Klein ISD, Klein, TX

2021

January

Jennifer Kling

- @Mrs_Kling_Tech

Elementary STEM | Apple Teacher | LEGO Master Educator | Microsoft Innovative Educator Souderton School District, PA

2021

December

Rachel DeCarlo

- @rachel_decarlo

4th grade LTS teacher, Maple Glen Elementary Upper Dublin School District, PA

2020

November

Melissa Walsh

- @PalmerPanthers1

Interventionist, Palmer Elementary School Easton Area School District, PA

2020

October

Sonia Batista

- @Ms_Batista5

Grade 3 Math Teacher, Oak Tree Road School Woodbridge Township School District, NJ

2020

September

Samantha Brown

- @MrsBrown

Grade 2 Math Teacher, Freetown ES Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2020

June

Shannon Ziemer

- @MDCityMath

Title 1 Math Teacher, Maryland City Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2020

May

Kathy Benton

- @KathyBenton72

Grade 3, Glendale Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2020

April

Katie Gould

- @Gouldkm21

Math & Science Specialist, Mueller Elementary School Klein Independent School District, Spring, TX

2020

March

Jennifer Gleason

- @cmespds

Grade 3 Teacher, Crofton Meadows Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Crofton, MD

2020

February

Allison Joy Russell

- @joy2teachem

2nd Grade Teacher, Honey Creek Elementary School Rockdale County Public Schools, Conyers, GA

2020

Dr. Lola J. May Award

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An annual award given to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit.

2025

Jeff Markham

A teacher at Clearview ES in the Bethlehem Area SD, Jeff Markham is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Lola J. May Award. "I have always loved teaching math and First in Math is a great supplement to the curriculum. As I teach skills, students can work on that skill in class and at home with instant feedback. I wasn’t planning on playing this year, but two girls in my class started playing even before the first day of school. Their excitement motivated me to go for 10X Grand Champion status, which I achieved. You know that the program you are using is effective when both the students and the teacher motivate each other. I am very happy that my district uses First in Math"

Silver Medal

Mary Higgins St. Laurence School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA

Bronze Medal

Ashlene Quinn Wrightstown ES, Council Rock SD, PA

About Dr. May

Dr. Lola J. May (1923-2007) was a noted mathematics educator, consultant, author and producer of audio-visual materials. A pioneer in mathematics education and an early proponent of the new math educational process, May was beloved by her students, and became a household name among mathematics educators.