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!
Justin O'Shea is the #1 Player, All Grades, in the First In Math® Online Program for the 2019-2020 school year—exactly ten years after his brother won the title in 2010! A student at St. Pius X School in Philadelphia, Justin earned the Grand Prize and National All Star award, climbing to the top in a dramatic last-minute surge. His strategy focused on consistency, playing most days rather than daily. Beyond math, Justin captained his school’s Reading Olympics team, enjoys American history, and loves basketball, soccer, and trips to the Jersey Shore. First In Math creator Robert Sun praises his dedication, highlighting the Archdiocese’s decade-long tradition of excellence in the program.
Players
Justin O'Shea (PA) - Champion Rishi Patel (TX) John Nguyen (MA) Temidire Tanimowo (TX) Matan Fox (PA) James McCusker (PA) Luca Merkle (PA) Alexsandro Trantalis (PA) Daniel Z. Lao (PA) Jiana Maxine A. Ramos (NV
Team Leaders
Denise Laudenslager (PA) Anna Latch (PA) Ellen Latham (MA) Nicole Smith (GA) Stephanie Sillo (PA) Givon Ellison (PA) David Siegfried (PA) Phyllis Elder (GA) Shaw Collier (PA) Regina Baker (PA)
Schools
Shawnee Elementary School (PA) Notre Dame de Lourdes School (PA) Anne Frank School (PA) O'Bryant Sch. Math & Science (MA) St. Frances de Sales School (PA) St. Anthony-Padua Regional (PA) Spring Garden Elementary (PA) Easton Area Middle School (PA) Fort Washington Elementary (PA) St. Didacus School (CA)
Top Educator Players
David Leith (TX) Carol A Lauck (PA) Stephanie Boyd (AL) Alison Allen (FL) Phyliss Elder (GA) Mary Higgins (PA) Becky Kieffer (FL) Mickey Komins (PA) Brianna Ruleman (MD)
2020
A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.
December
Third Grade Teacher, Claremont School Ossining Union Free School District, Ossining, NY
2024
November
Director of Elementary Education, MSD of Steuben County MSD of Steuben County, Angola, IN
2024
September
Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2024
May
Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2024
April
4th Grade Teacher, Fort Washington Elementary School Upper Dublin School District, Maple Glen, PA
2024
March
Principal, Franconia Elementary School Souderton Area School District, Souderton, PA
2024
February
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Technology Glen Cove City School District, Glen Cove, NY
2024
January
Principal, Bridgeport Elementary School Upper Merion School District, Bridgeport, PA
2024
December
Assistant Superintendent Nazareth Area School District, Nazareth, PA
2023
November
Title I Math Resource Teacher, Glen Burnie Park Elementary Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD
2023
October
Math Coach, Garden City Primary Buildings Garden City School District, Garden City, NY
2023
October
Gifted Education Teacher, Willow Lane Elementary School East Penn School District, Emmaus, PA
2023
An annual award given to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit.
2021
David Leith is being recognized with the Lola J. May Award for the second year in a row. He teaches at Theiss Elementary, Klein ISD in Texas. "First in Math continues to grow with more students playing more games and solving more problems. All of this leads to more enthusiasm and greater math understanding for our students, and that's the real celebration."
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.
