Dr. Lola J. May Award

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2023 WINNER: Jeff Markham

A teacher at Clearview ES in the Bethlehem Area SD for 20+ years, Jeff Markham is the 2023 recipient of the Dr. Lola J. May Award. "I have always enjoyed using First in Math for everything from enrichment to support. It is a wonderful complement to the curriculum and allows my students to practice skills in a fun & engaging way. This year our students ranked 9th in the nation! I am so proud of them!"

 

Silver Medal
Robert Beck

Hiland Park ES,
Bay County SD, FL

Bronze Medal
Mary Higgins

St. Laurence School,
Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA


2022 WINNER: 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! The students have really developed their skills as they have completed thousands and thousands of problems."

 

Silver Medal
Mary Higgins

St. Laurence School,
Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA

Bronze Medal
Stephanie Boyd

Ashford HS,
Houston County SD, AL


2021 WINNER: David Leith

David Leith is being recognized with the Lola J. May Award for the second year in a row. He teaches at Theiss Elementary, Klein ISD in Texas.  "First in Math continues to grow with more students playing more games and solving more problems. All of this leads to more enthusiasm and greater math understanding for our students, and that's the real celebration."

 

Silver Medal
Alison Allen

Northside Elementary,
Bay County SD, FL

Bronze Medal
Stephanie Boyd

Abbeville Elementary,
Henry County SD, AL


2020 WINNER: David Leith

David Leith is deeply honored to be recognized with the Lola J. May Award. The 20-year veteran of the classroom teaches at Theiss Elementary, Klein ISD in Texas. “I wanted to learn all the games so that I could be a role model, and I got hooked on the learning experience right along with my students. I am especially enthused by how FIM enables so many students to meaningfully learn and apply math above their grade level expectations.”

 

Silver Medal
Carol A. Lauck

St. Nicholas School,
Allentown Diocese, PA

Bronze Medal
Stephanie Boyd

Abbeville Elementary,
Henry County SD, AL


2019 WINNER: Carol A. Lauck

Carol A. Lauck, a 41-year veteran of the classroom, teaches second grade at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Minersville, PA, in the Diocese of Allentown. "I am honored to receive this award having been with the program for 12 years. FIM is a marvelous learning tool that helps children obtain math skills—and show them math is EVERYWHERE!"

 

Silver Medal
Stephanie Boyd

Waller Elementary School,
Bay County, FL.

Bronze Medal
Chris Sakers

Southwest Academy,
Baltimore County, MD.


Susan Whited

2018 WINNER: 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.


Chris Sakers - 2017

2017 WINNER: Chris A. Sakers

Chris Sakers, from Southwest Academy Magnet School in Baltimore, MD, is the top-ranked educator in the nation for the second year in a row. “My participation with FIM over the last eight years has been wonderful and rewarding. The evolution of challenges has been outstanding, and has truly helped my students to become better, faster, and more fluid with mental math skills."

 

Silver Medal
William Hanna

Yucca ES,
Alamogordo, NM.

Bronze Medal
Carol A. Lauck

St. Nicholas School, Minersville, PA.


Chris Sakers

2016 WINNER
Chris A. Sakers

During the past seven years, Chris Sakers, from Franklin MS in Reistertown, MD, has earned nearly 300,000 points and has been the top-ranked educator in Maryland each year. “I have fully enjoyed the First in Math program for the last seven years,” says Sakers. “I am beyond proud to have earned the Dr. Lola J. May Award."

 

Silver Medal
Susan Whited

Ferry Farm ES, Fredericksburg, VA.

Bronze Medal
Carol A. Lauck

St. Nicholas School, Minersville, PA.


Matt & Michelle Morse

2015 WINNER
Mathew David Morse

For the fourth year, C.W. Dillard's Matt Morse was #1 Team Leader Player in the nation. “The past four years have been wonderful. Through FIM, I have become much better at math—you are never too old to learn! Next year, I want to focus on having a 24 Game Tournament at our school instead,” says Morse. (with wife, Michelle)

 

Silver Medal
Chris Sakers

Franklin Middle School, Reistertown, MD.

Bronze Medal
Carol Lauck

St. Nicholas School, Minersville, PA.


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2014 Winner: Mathew David Morse

For the third year, C.W. Dillard teacher Matt Morse was the #1 FIM Team Leader Player in the nation. “FIM challenges students to go beyond normal math patterns and rewards them for doing more—a microcosm of their future. I see growth in their ability to calculate quickly, and I have also increased my speed...I want to keep my brain active and my mind sharp."

 
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2013 Winner: Mathew David Morse

For the second straight year, C.W. Dillard ES teacher Matt Morse (with son, Grant) was the #1 FIM Team Leader Player in the nation. He earned more than 53,000 stickers. Says Morse, "The challenge that FIM offers sharpens the brain. I have become better in math because of FIM, and if it is helping me, I know students are increasing their skills as well." 

 

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2012 Winner: Mathew David Morse

Top Ten competition ended with C.W. Dillard ES teacher Matt Morse (with mother, Jane) earning more than 49,000 stickers on his way to becoming the #1 Team Leader Player in the nation. "I truly feel that FIM is the best, most thorough math program out there," says the CA native. "It helps get students excited about math. Hopefully I've been a good example, too!."

 
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2011 Winner: Colleen Armor

The 2010/2011 National competition saw Armor top her nearest competitor by more than 500 stickers. Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Natrona Heights, PA has been home to Armor for many years."My goal has always been to rid my classroom of the 'I hate math' syndrome. First in Math has helped me achieve that goal."

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2010 Winner: Cherylene McClendon

Cherylene McClendon of Joseph Pennell School in the School District of Philadelphia was presented with the inaugural Dr. Lola J. May Award as the #1-Ranked TLP in the nation, besting nearly 14,000 of her peers in 2009/2010 National competition.

 

The First In Math Program is pleased to present the Dr. Lola J. May Achievement Award to the #1 Ranked Team Leader Player in the program.


"Lola is a legend. With support from her estate, we are pleased to present this award to educators who exemplify Lola's spirit. I can think of no greater honor to bestow on a mathematics educator."

ROBERT SUN