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!

Shonak Patel

Seventh-grader Shonak Patel of Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem, PA, secured the #1 national ranking in the 2006 First In Math® season, earning an impressive 22,572 Stickers—one of only six students nationwide to surpass 20,000. Diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, Shonak has excelled in math, even topping Carnegie Mellon University's summer program contest. His most cherished moment came when 24® Game inventor Robert Sun sent him a personally-signed game set. Shonak attributes his success to patience, emphasizing that early rankings matter less than consistent effort throughout the year.

Honorable Mentions

Players

Sang Choi (CA) Enxhi Rrapi (PA) Chris Mienert (PA) Caleb McCammon (MD)

Team Leaders

Schools

Top Educator Players

2006

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.

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

January

Domenick Renzi

- @mustang_math

BSI math Teacher, Wedgwood Elementary School Washington Township Public Schools, Sewell, NJ

2020

December

Kimberly O'Neal

- @kloneal2

District Coordinator Klein Independent School District, Klein, TX

2019

November

Greg DeStasio

- @MrDeStasioFB

Grade 5 Teacher Freemansburg Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Freemansburg, PA

2019

Dr. Lola J. May Award

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

2022

David Leith

For the third consecutive year, David Leith is being recognized with the Lola J. May Award! Leith teaches at Theiss Elementary, Klein ISD in Texas. He is proud that "All 5 Theiss Elementary 3rd grade classes are in the top 8 of the First In Math State rankings! The students have really developed their skills as they have completed thousands and thousands of problems."

Silver Medal

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

Bronze Medal

Stephanie Boyd Ashford HS, Houston County SD, AL

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.