Join us in celebrating the people who make First in Math special
An annual award given to the #1 Player First in Math player across all grades!
Eric Stefanica claimed the title of #1 Player, All Grades, in the First In Math® Online Program for the 2021-2022 school year! A fourth grader at P.S. 144Q in New York, he earned over 95,000 Stickers to win the First In Math National All Star award—eventually surpassing 100,000 Stickers to become the first 10X Grand Champion. Driven by a love for math and a solid strategy, Eric dedicated 800 hours to solving nearly 300,000 problems. First In Math creator Robert Sun calls his achievement “one in a million,” praising his focus and determination. When he’s not mastering math, Eric enjoys riding his hovercraft in the park.
Players
Eric Stefanica (NY) Jayden Xu (GA) Luca Merkle (PA) Anthony Wang (PA) Darion Gjymishka (GA) Deryck Regis Maniraho (PA)
Team Leaders
Denise Laudenslager (PA) Michelle Maqboul (PA) Ashley Gaines (PA) Phyllis Elder (GA) Ashley Torelli (PA) Taylor Burckhalter (PA) Tracy Fletcher (PA) Jeff Keys (PA) Phyllis Elder (GA) Bryan McDevitt (PA)
Schools
St. Francis de Sales School (PA) Shawnee Elementary School (PA) Stratford Academy (GA) Notre Dame de Lourdes School (PA) Spring Garden Elementary (PA) Wedgwood Elementary School (NJ) Easton Area Middle School (PA) Rieffton School (PA) O’Bryant Math & Science School (MA) Maple Glen Elementary School (PA)
Top Educator Players
David Leith (TX) Mary Higgins (PA) Stephanie Boyd (AL) Phyllis Elder (GA) Jennifer DiMarzo (OH) Sr. Georgiana Connell (PA) Darren Parrish (TX) Randy Hart (SC)
2022
A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.
September
Kindergarten Teacher, Spring Garden Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2023
May
3rd Grade Educator, G. A. Jackson Elementary School Jericho Union Free School District, Jericho, NY
2023
April
3rd Grade ELA Teacher at Whitman Elementary School Washington Township Public Schools, Turnersville, NJ
2023
March
4th Grade Teacher, James A. Dever Elementary School Valley Stream 13 School District, Valley Stream, NY
2023
February
5th Grade Teacher, Ridgeway Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Severn, MD
2023
December
6th Grade Math Teacher, Easton Area Middle School Easton Area School District, Easton, PA
2022
November
Computer Science Teacher, Franconia Elementary School Souderton Area School District, Souderton, PA
2022
October
Principal, Mars Estates Elementary School Baltimore County Public Schools, Essex, MD
2022
September
1st Grade Teacher, Glen Burnie Park Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Glen Burnie, MD
2022
May
5th Grade Teacher, Clara Barton Elementary School Cherry Hill Public Schools, Cherry Hill, NJ
2022
April
4th Grade Teacher, Salisbury Elementary School Salisbury Township School District, Allentown, PA
2022
March
Principal, Eastport Elementary School Eastport-South Manor Central School District, NY
2022
An annual award given to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit.
2023
A teacher at Clearview ES in the Bethlehem Area SD for 20+ years, Jeff Markham is the 2023 recipient of the Dr. Lola J. May Award. "I have always enjoyed using First in Math for everything from enrichment to support. It is a wonderful complement to the curriculum and allows my students to practice skills in a fun & engaging way. This year our students ranked 9th in the nation! I am so proud of them!"
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal
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.
