For me, the Presidential Award recognizes that our students of color in urban schools can achieve in mathematics, even remotely and in a pandemic. When we educators keep our standards high, focus on scaffolding and supports for individual student success, and foster communities for learning, all students can meet or exceed their potential. This is an opportunity to showcase my Capital Preparatory Magnet School mathematicians with pride. We have traded excuses for achievement.

Barbara Budaj Hartford, CT | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

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

Barbara Budaj spent 24 years in the classroom educating Connecticut students. After three years as a mathematics teacher at East Haven and Newington High Schools, Barbara became the Mathematics Team Leader at the Capital Region Education Council (CREC) Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC). In her six years at MLC, she honed her curriculum-writing skills before moving to the role of Mathematics Curriculum Supervisor for CREC Magnet Schools for two years. She then served for one year as Principal of Great Path Academy at Manchester Community College. Barbara then became the Director of Mathematics for Cromwell Public Schools. Five years later, Barbara was thrilled to be back in the classroom, teaching Algebra 2 and AP Calculus at Capital Preparatory Magnet School (CPREP). In her five years at CPREP, Barbara chaired the annual Social Justice Conference, served as a TEAM mentor, and was recognized for significant growth in academic achievement. She has presented at conferences on topics from "Moving from Compliance to Coherence" to "Making Linear Systems Fun." With her desire to positively influence public education, Barbara recently transitioned to Central Connecticut State University, where she has been the Director of School-Community Partnerships for two years. Her responsibilities include placement and support of student teachers, fostering relationships with district partners, and instructing teacher candidates in the M.A.T. program. Barbara has a B.A. in mathematics and East Asian language and literature from Indiana University, Bloomington; an M.S. in Secondary Education from Central Connecticut State University; and her Sixth Year in Intermediate Administration from Sacred Heart University. She is certified in secondary mathematics and intermediate administration.

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