Champions
of Math

Join us in celebrating the people who make First in Math special

Hall of Fame

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

An annual award given to the #1 Player First in Math player across all grades!

Justin O'Shea

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.

Honorable Mentions

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

Spirit in Education

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.

December

Jared Nash

- @MrNashsClass

Third Grade Teacher, Claremont School Ossining Union Free School District, Ossining, NY

2024

November

Jonathan Winslow

- @MSDSC_JWins

Director of Elementary Education, MSD of Steuben County MSD of Steuben County, Angola, IN

2024

September

John Phillips

- @MrPhillipsTeach

Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA

2024

May

John Phillips

- @MrPhillipsTeach

Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA

2024

April

Edward Bush

- @MrBush_FWES

4th Grade Teacher, Fort Washington Elementary School Upper Dublin School District, Maple Glen, PA

2024

March

Laura Heineck, Ed. D

- @SASD_Franconia

Principal, Franconia Elementary School Souderton Area School District, Souderton, PA

2024

February

Dr. Alexa Doeschne

- @DrDoeschner

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Technology Glen Cove City School District, Glen Cove, NY

2024

January

Timothy Bickhar

- @Bpt_BEARs

Principal, Bridgeport Elementary School Upper Merion School District, Bridgeport, PA

2024

December

Isabel C. Resende, Ed. D.

- @icr205

Assistant Superintendent Nazareth Area School District, Nazareth, PA

2023

November

Joanie Gulden

- @JGulden22

Title I Math Resource Teacher, Glen Burnie Park Elementary Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2023

October

Tara Beamer

- @TBeamerGC

Math Coach, Garden City Primary Buildings Garden City School District, Garden City, NY

2023

October

Matt Weimann

- @MrWeimann

Gifted Education Teacher, Willow Lane Elementary School East Penn School District, Emmaus, PA

2023

Dr. Lola J. May Award

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

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

2019

Carol A. Lauck

Carol A. Lauck, a 41-year veteran of the classroom, teaches second grade at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Minersville, PA, in the Diocese of Allentown. "I am honored to receive this award having been with the program for 12 years. FIM is a marvelous learning tool that helps children obtain math skills—and show them math is EVERYWHERE!"

Silver Medal

Stephanie Boyd Waller Elementary School, Bay County, F

Bronze Medal

Chris Sakers Southwest Academy, Baltimore County, MD.

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.