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!

Hannah Sonsalla

Hannah Sonsalla dominated the 2007 First In Math® season, holding the #1 rank, all grades, for months and earning a record-breaking 24,408 Stickers—nearly 1,000 more than her closest competitor. A fifth-grader at Sandhill School in Stoughton, Wisconsin, she excels in academic competitions, including Knowledge Masters and 24 Challenge®. Known for her lightning-fast 24® game skills, she swept district and county tournaments with ease. Beyond math, Hannah stays active in 4-H, piano, and Girl Scouts, balancing a wide range of interests with her impressive academic achievements.

Honorable Mentions

Players

Ao Kong (PA) Valentino Papa (PA) Ryan Watson (NY) Josh Dean (WV) Jacob Barthels (WI)

Team Leaders

Ed Butler (NJ) Laura Borsecnik (WI) Kimberly Johnson (FL) Yvonne Matherson (NY) Michelle Dawson (WI) Lauris Heinzel (IA) David Mathews (PA) Cheryl Moyer (PA) Lisa Weingartner (FL) Pauline Watson (FL) Sheri Galbreath (CA) Karen Moroney (NY) Margaret O'Connor (NY) Colleen Armor (PA)

Schools

Parker Annex ES (NJ) Northmont ES (CA) OLMBS School (PA) Fitler Academics (PA) Matewan MS (WV) Anne Frank ES (PA) Pollock ES (PA) Francis March MS (PA) Creston MS (IA) St. Benedict School (IA) Fleetwood ES (NY) Oakridge ES (FL) Sandhill School (WI) Orchard MS (OH) Conwell MS (PA) Wilson MS (PA) St. Thomas Aquinas (PA) Leeds MS (PA) Manatee Bay ES (FL) Sheboygan Falls ES (WI)

Top Educator Players

2007

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.

December

Rachel DeCarlo

- @rachel_decarlo

4th grade LTS teacher, Maple Glen Elementary Upper Dublin School District, PA

2020

November

Melissa Walsh

- @PalmerPanthers1

Interventionist, Palmer Elementary School Easton Area School District, PA

2020

October

Sonia Batista

- @Ms_Batista5

Grade 3 Math Teacher, Oak Tree Road School Woodbridge Township School District, NJ

2020

September

Samantha Brown

- @MrsBrown

Grade 2 Math Teacher, Freetown ES Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2020

June

Shannon Ziemer

- @MDCityMath

Title 1 Math Teacher, Maryland City Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2020

May

Kathy Benton

- @KathyBenton72

Grade 3, Glendale Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD

2020

April

Katie Gould

- @Gouldkm21

Math & Science Specialist, Mueller Elementary School Klein Independent School District, Spring, TX

2020

March

Jennifer Gleason

- @cmespds

Grade 3 Teacher, Crofton Meadows Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Crofton, MD

2020

February

Allison Joy Russell

- @joy2teachem

2nd Grade Teacher, Honey Creek Elementary School Rockdale County Public Schools, Conyers, GA

2020

January

Domenick Renzi

- @mustang_math

BSI math Teacher, Wedgwood Elementary School Washington Township Public Schools, Sewell, NJ

2020

December

Kimberly O'Neal

- @kloneal2

District Coordinator Klein Independent School District, Klein, TX

2019

November

Greg DeStasio

- @MrDeStasioFB

Grade 5 Teacher Freemansburg Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Freemansburg, PA

2019

Dr. Lola J. May Award

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

2024

David Leith

For the third consecutive year, David Leith is being recognized with the Lola J. May Award! Leith teaches at Theiss Elementary, Klein ISD in Texas. He is proud that "All 5 Theiss Elementary 3rd grade classes are in the top 8 of the First In Math State rankings!

Silver Medal

Carol A. Lauck St. Nicholas School

Bronze Medal

Stephanie Boyd Abbeville Elementary

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.