The Presidential Award represents the dedication and hard work teachers do for their students’ learning and lives. This award recognizes my lifelong learning and professional growth as a mathematics teacher. This could not have been possible without the support of the administrators, colleagues, and students I have worked with throughout my career. I am truly humbled to receive this prestigious award and inspired to continue doing my best work in education.

Anna Gardikiotis Reno, NV | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

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

Anna Gardikiotis has been an educator for 11 years and has spent the last three years teaching second grade at Mamie Towles Elementary School - the same school she went to as a student and where her love of teaching began at a very young age. She previously taught kindergarten through second grade and worked as an instructional coach at Desert Heights Elementary School for six years. Her career began at Bailey Charter Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten for two years. Anna strives to ensure all students learn mathematics by meeting all of their needs. She cultivates a positive classroom culture and builds relationships with students, so that they have the confidence to share their mathematical strategies, mistakes, and learning. As a result, students embrace a growth mindset, which allows them to persevere through challenging mathematical problems. Anna enjoys sharing her instructional strategies for student-centered mathematics and passion for teaching equity-based mathematics. She served as an on-site mentor for four years and participated in peer observations for three years. Anna earned a B.S. in elementary education and an M.Ed. in educational leadership and administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade education.

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