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!
Josephine Nguyen is the 2011-2012 #1 First In Math player in the nation, all grades! The dedicated fourth-grader earned a record-breaking 49,270 Stickers, surpassing her nearest competitor by nearly 2,000. At just nine years old, she became the youngest-ever National Champion after ranking 4th as a third-grader. A student at St. William Catholic Elementary in Philadelphia, she will attend St. Cecilia School next year. Along with her FIM All Star Award, Josephine received an Apple iPod Touch, a book, a 24 Game pin, and a special signed edition of the 24 Game from Robert Sun.
Players
Ocean Zhou (CA) Caleb McCammon (MD) Gregory Anthony (GA) Thanusha Mathiyalagan (CA) John Francis (CA) Andrew Nassur (PA) Jordan Davis (OH) Vijeta Revankar (TX) Martyna Bielawska (PA)
Team Leaders
Mathew David Morse (CA) Carol Lauck (PA) Chris Sakers (MD) Mickey Komins (PA) Shirley Gaffney (PA) Linda Isherwood (PA) Jason Goldberg (PA) Jeffrey Brock (TX) Brian Barrick (PA) Rhonda Furlow (OH) Donna Rodgers (PA) E. Diane Simmons (MD) Scott Colin (CA) Jeffrey Cargini (PA) Glen Nier (NJ) Linda Isherwood (PA) Neal Beitman (PA)
Schools
St. William School (PA) Wolf Canyon ES (CA) Kenmoor MS (MD) Lewis Frasier MS (GA) Discovery ES (CA) St. John Eudes School (CA) Aquinas Academy (PA) Riverside School (OH) James F Bay ES (TX) Clear Run IS (PA)
Top Educator Players
2012
A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.
September
Grade 4 Teacher, Towne Meadow Elementary School Carmel Clay School District, Carmel, IN
2018
An annual award given to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit.
2026
Jeff Markham, a 5th-grade teacher at Clearview ES in the Bethlehem Area School District, is the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Lola J. May Award. A longtime First In Math user, Markham also received the award in 2025 and 2023. “I have really enjoyed playing First In Math this year. It was quite a competition among the educators, and there were times when I wasn’t sure I would win. The student competition was amazing as well and fun to watch. Over the years, my students and I have had a lot of fun playing and working together to strengthen our math skills. First In Math is a great program that is engaging and fun for my students. Good luck next year to all the students and educators playing First In Math!”
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.
