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!
Temidire Tanimowo is the #1 Player, All Grades, in the First In Math® Online Program for the 2020-2021 school year! A fourth grader at Mueller Elementary in Texas, he is only the second fourth-grader to win the Grand Prize and a repeat First In Math National All Star. After placing #4 as a third-grader, Temidire set a clear goal and executed a winning strategy—tackling the hardest games first and maintaining a strong lead. First In Math creator Robert Sun praises his achievement, noting that he completed all 240+ games, solved over 240,000 problems, and dedicated 700 hours to his success. An avid learner, Temidire also enjoys chess, tennis, and trivia games, as well as spending time with his biggest fan—his younger brother, Jikore.
Players
Temidire Tanimowo (TX) Doron Fox (PA) Matan Fox (PA) Mark Chentsov-Kalish (PA) James McCusker (PA) Tucker Johnston (GA) Luca Merkle (PA) Jayden XU (GA) Victor Nikolaev (NJ)
Team Leaders
Nicole Purdy (PA) Anna Latch (PA) Brian Dougans (PA) Stephanie Sillo (PA) Denise Laudenslager (PA) Stephanie Sillo (PA) Phyliss Elder (GA) Mary Higgins (PA) Erin McCormick (PA) Tarabeth McFadden (PA)
Schools
St. Francis de Sales School (PA) Anne Frank School (PA) Notre Dame de Lourdes School (PA) Chesterbrook Academy West Chester (PA) Shawnee Elementary School (PA) O’Bryant School of Math & Science (MA) Reiffton School (PA) Spring Garden Elementary School (PA) St. Laurence School (PA) St. Anthony-Padua Regional Catholic School (PA)
Top Educator Players
David Leith (TX) Alison Allen (FL) Mary Higgins (PA) Phyliss Elder (GA) Robert Beck (FL) Mickey Komins (PA) M. Lisa Butchy (PA)
2021
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.
2025
A teacher at Clearview ES in the Bethlehem Area SD, Jeff Markham is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Lola J. May Award. "I have always loved teaching math and First in Math is a great supplement to the curriculum. As I teach skills, students can work on that skill in class and at home with instant feedback. I wasn’t planning on playing this year, but two girls in my class started playing even before the first day of school. Their excitement motivated me to go for 10X Grand Champion status, which I achieved. You know that the program you are using is effective when both the students and the teacher motivate each other. I am very happy that my district uses 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.
