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!
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.
Players
Sang Choi (CA) Enxhi Rrapi (PA) Chris Mienert (PA) Caleb McCammon (MD)
Team Leaders
Schools
Top Educator Players
2006
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.
2020
David Leith is deeply honored to be recognized with the Lola J. May Award. The 20-year veteran of the classroom teaches at Theiss Elementary, Klein ISD in Texas. “I wanted to learn all the games so that I could be a role model, and I got hooked on the learning experience right along with my students. I am especially enthused by how FIM enables so many students to meaningfully learn and apply math above their grade level expectations.
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.
