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!
For the second year in a row, Eric Stefanica is the #1 Player, All Grades, in the First In Math® Online Program! Currently attending fifth grade at P.S. 144Q - Col Jeromus Remsen School in Community School District 28 in New York, Eric amassed more than 100,000 Stickers on his way to the 2022-2023 First In Math National All Star award. How did he do it again? Stefanica explains that that perseverance and discipline are key to succeeding in First in Math. "I simply played every day for as long as it took to meet the goal that I laid out for myself!" First In Math creator, Robert Sun, says Stefanica’s accomplishment is even more notable than last year. "Being a 10X Grand Champion* is the Ultimate Achievement on First In Math. It takes tremendous dedication, consistent effort, and willingness to push the envelope of your math skills. Eric has shown the power of his imagination and the ability to accomplish his grand ambition - two years in a row!" The two-time National Champion says that his favorite First In Math game is Master RPS Chess, but he has many varied interests outside of math. "I like to play soccer and tennis, and still like to ride my hovercart in the park." A brown belt in Shotokan karate, Stefanica is no stranger to setting a goal and marching directly toward it. "I started karate five years ago, and I will soon be a black belt — as I set out to become."
Players
Eric Stefanica (NY) Janice Chen (NJ) Alex Groner (PA) Hanna Chen (NJ) Cienna Afflisio (PA)
Team Leaders
Stephanie Piccola (NJ) Josephine Fedena (PA) Bryan McDevitt (PA) Morgan Moore (PA) Givon Ellison (PA) William McCombie (PA) Kristin Haines (NJ) Trisha Schoeneck (PA) Christian Laird (PA) Allison Frable (PA)
Schools
St. Francis de Sales School (PA) Shawnee Elementary School (PA) Wedgwood Elementary School (NJ) Spring Garden Elementary (PA) Tracy Elementary School (PA) Easton Area Middle School (PA) O'Bryant School of Math & Science (MA) Bells Elementary School (NJ) Clearview Elementary School (PA) Thomas Fitzwater Elementary (PA)
Top Educator Players
Jeff Markham (PA) Robert Beck (FL) Mary Higgins (PA) Sr. Georgiana Connell, IHM (PA) Melissa Chrystie (NY) Mrs. Jennifer DiMarzo (OH) Susan Costenbader (PA) Kathleen Foster (PA) Bill Reynolds (GA)
2023
A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.
January
BSI math Teacher, Wedgwood Elementary School Washington Township Public Schools, Sewell, NJ
2020
December
District Coordinator Klein Independent School District, Klein, TX
2019
November
Grade 5 Teacher Freemansburg Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Freemansburg, PA
2019
October
Grade 4 Teacher, Endeavour Elementary School North Hanover Township School District, Joint Base MDL, NJ
2019
September
3rd Grade Teacher , Asa Packer Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2019
April
School Performance Coach, Severn Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public School District, Annapolis, MD
2019
March
Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2019
February
Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Specialist Newton County School System, Covington, GA
2019
January
Grade 4 ICR Teacher, Endeavor Elementary School North Hanover Township School District, Wrightstown, NJ
2019
December
Instructional Math Coach K-5, Tom R. Ellisor Elementary School Magnolia ISD, Magnolia, TX
2018
November
Math Specialist, Goodnoe Elementary School Council Rock School District, Newtown Township, PA
2018
October
Gifted & Talent Development Teacher, Slater Elementary School Atlanta Public Schools, GA
2018
An annual award given to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit.
2024
The 2024 winner of the Lola J. May award is ROBERT BECK, a Teacher from Hiland Park Elementary in Bay County SD, Florida.
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.
