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!
Eighth-grader James O’Shea claimed the title of #1 Player in the First In Math® Online Program for the 2009-2010 school year, after finishing as runner-up the previous year. A student at St. Laurence School in Philadelphia, O’Shea led the competition for months, earning 42,000 Stickers by the April 30 deadline. “I was very determined to win,” he says, though he will miss playing next year. Along with his National All Star Award, he received the Grand Prize—an Apple® iTouch. This fall, he will attend Devon Preparatory School and hopes to one day study at Princeton.
Players
Valentino Papa (PA) Anthony Harwell (TX) Mark Stenske (PA) John Francis (CA) Alice Hu (PA) Caleb McCammon (MD) Andrew Walters (PA) Martyna Bielawska (PA)
Team Leaders
Cherylene McClendon (PA) Marc Horowitz (FL) Kristin Meis (FL) Colleen Armor (PA) Norma J. Lara (NM) Christine Cardone (PA) Neil Beitman (PA) Monica Patel (PA) Bill O'Connell (PA) Lisa Butchy (PA) James Lara (NM) Beth Walker (NC) Chris Sakers (MD)
Schools
St. Joseph the Worker (PA) AMY Northwest (PA) OLMBS School (PA) Leeds MS (PA) Calverton ES (MD) St. Laurence School (PA) Rocky Mountain ES (GA) St. Pius X (PA) Willyard ES (OH) Frank ES (PA) Indian Trace ES (FL)
Top Educator Players
2010
A monthly award given to an educator who has been actively talking about math achievement on social media channels.
April
Pennsylvania State Senator 18th Senatorial District, Northampton & Lehigh County, PA
2025
March
Pennsylvania State Senator 24th Senatorial District, Montgomery & Berks County, PA
2025
February
Director of K-12 Curriculum & Instruction Southern Lehigh School District, Center Valley, PA
2025
December
Third Grade Teacher, Claremont School Ossining Union Free School District, Ossining, NY
2024
November
Director of Elementary Education, MSD of Steuben County MSD of Steuben County, Angola, IN
2024
September
Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2024
May
Grade 4 Classroom Teacher, Marvine Elementary School Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, PA
2024
April
4th Grade Teacher, Fort Washington Elementary School Upper Dublin School District, Maple Glen, PA
2024
March
Principal, Franconia Elementary School Souderton Area School District, Souderton, PA
2024
February
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Technology Glen Cove City School District, Glen Cove, NY
2024
January
Principal, Bridgeport Elementary School Upper Merion School District, Bridgeport, PA
2024
December
Assistant Superintendent Nazareth Area School District, Nazareth, PA
2023
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.
