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!

Sadaat Rahman

Sadaat Rahman has earned the distinction of being the 2026 #1 Player — All Grades — in the First In Math® Online Program. As the top player, he earned 112,388 achievement-based Stickers and solved more than 337,164 math problems on his way to the First In Math NATIONAL ALL-STAR Award. A third-grade student at Highgate Heights Elementary School in Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo, NY, Sadaat has achieved national recognition for his mathematical skill and persistence. "I am proud of being first in the nation for First in Math, and I'm happy, excited, grateful, and blessed at the recognition it has brought." “This kind of achievement is incredibly rare,” explains First In Math creator Robert Sun. “Reaching #1 in the nation requires critical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems with accuracy and strategy, but Sadaat’s success is also the result of sustained, active engagement in rigorous problem solving over time—demonstrating focus, resilience, and deep commitment." Outside the classroom, Sadaat enjoys drawing, spending time with his little brother, playing Minecraft, and other games. His favorite subject in school is Math. "Math is like a puzzle and I like solving problems," he explains. "What I like about First in Math is that it is like a puzzle or game — but you get to solve math problems!" His favorite challenges in First in Math are the 24 Wheels and other Intermediate Bonus Games. With the guidance of his teacher, Jennifer V. Barone, and the leadership of Principal Gayle Irving-White, Sadaat has continued to grow in a school environment that values perseverance, curiosity, and academic excellence. "My principal, my mom, my family members inspire me — my mom the most. I wanted to be first. I dreamed about it. My mom kept encouraging me." What advice would he give to other students who want to rise to the top in First in Math? "Earn stickers every day. Don’t give up even if it’s difficult."

Honorable Mentions

Players

Florence Kim (NV) Samuel Lazarre (NJ) Manuel Platel (NY) Adora Bevan (NY) David Reyes (PA) Benjamin Corado (NY) Isaac Castro (NY)

Team Leaders

Joshua Bliss (MN) Richard Farina (PA) Justin Henry (NY) Nicole Colarte (NY) Dawn Doheny (PA) Maria Carrubba (PA) Kathleen Foster (PA) Valerie Frazier (PA) Adam Hochheiser (NY) Tricia Fox (PA)

Schools

Lime Kiln Elementary (NY) St. Francis De Sales School (PA) Jarrettown Elementary (PA) Goodnoe Elementary (PA) Maureen M. Welch Elementary (PA) UMASD Middle School (PA) Academy of St. Paul School (NJ) Hale Community School (MN) Sol Feinstone Elementary (PA) Alexander II Magnet School (GA)

Top Educator Players

Jeffrey Markham (PA) Nicole Gysin (NJ) Mary Higgins (PA) Eric Buxton (NY) Ashlene Quinn (PA) Casey Szklany (NY) Brianna Ruleman (MD) Jennifer Ambrozic (PA) Kathleen Foster (PA) Susan Contenbaker (PA)

2026

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.

May

Jenn Taylor

- @CBE_MrsTaylor

5th Grade Teacher, Clara Barton Elementary School Cherry Hill Public Schools, Cherry Hill, NJ

2022

April

Kristy Wied

- @MrsWiedsClasses

4th Grade Teacher, Salisbury Elementary School Salisbury Township School District, Allentown, PA

2022

March

Tom Fabian

- @PrincipalEES

Principal, Eastport Elementary School Eastport-South Manor Central School District, NY

2022

February

Staci Manning

- @SManningEDUTECH

5th Grade Teacher, Parliament Place Elementary School North Babylon School District, North Babylon, NY

2022

January

Ana Laura Young

- @missalyoung

5th Grade Teacher, Donegan Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA

2022

December

Eric Fontanez

- @Efontanez3

Principal, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA

2021

October

Stacey Jones

- @StaceyFJones

Point Pleasant ES Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Glen Burnie, MD

2021

September

Jennifer Bost

- @mrsbostmawbey

2nd Grade Teacher, Mawbey Street School #1 Woodbridge Township SD, Woodbridge, NJ

2021

June

Susan Vohrer

- @svohrer

Baltimore County Public Schools, MD

2021

May

Dr. Tamyka Morant

- @DrMorant_MathAP

Assistant Principal, Bruce-Monroe ES DC Public Schools, Washington, DC

2021

April

Kaylin Higbie

- @Ms_Higbie

5th grade teacher, Marvine Elementary Bethlehem Area School District, PA

2021

March

Ellen Cabahug

- @ecabahug1_ellen

3rd grade math & science teacher, Fox Elementary Klein Independent School District, TX

2021

Dr. Lola J. May Award

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

2018

Susan Whited

Susan Whited, from Ferry Farm ES in Stafford County, Virginia, is the top-ranked educator in the nation! “After seven years of FIM, I am honored to win the Dr. Lola J. May Award! My strategy was to play each game as accurately as possible in order to maximize the number of stickers that I earned. I hope I showed my students that setting and working toward challenging goals can lead to success..

Silver Medal

Chris Sakers Southwest Academy, Baltimore, MD.

Bronze Medal

Carol A. Lauck St. Nicholas School, Minersville, PA.

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.