Since my days as a student, I have been fascinated with mathematics. Now, as an educator, I am fascinated with the skill sets that students bring to my classroom each year. I guide them not only to understand mathematics, but to love it. With this Presidential Award, I will have access to a network of wonderful educators and professional development opportunities that will help me perfect my craft. I am excited to see the impact this will have on my students, colleagues, and community.

Joseph John Muna Saipan, MP | K-6, Mathematics, 2018

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Joseph Muna has been an educator for 10 years. He has spent those 10 years teaching all subjects to fourth and sixth grades at William S. Reyes Elementary School. Joseph has been the school-level Math Court coordinator for the past five years and helps register students for mathematics competitions, logistics, and awards. He has been the school representative for the mathematics learning community where he participates and collaborates in curriculum activities projects for the district. In addition, Joseph has offered an afterschool program to help students prepare for mathematics competitions. Joseph's focus in the past several years has been fostering the growth mindset principle and real-world application of mathematics. He has added technological equipment such as a SMARTBOARD and iPads for his classroom by being selected as one of two 21st Century models. He is currently revamping his approach to teaching mathematics with a project-based approach where the content will be more relevant and meaningful, aimed at yielding greater student achievement. Joseph earned a B.S., magna cum laude, in elementary education from the Northern Mariana College and a M.Ed. in international education from Framingham State University. He possesses a professional certificate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands State Board of Education.

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