It is a humbling experience to be among the amazing educators that have received the Presidential Award. I am thankful to the many mentors, colleagues, and students who have shaped me as a teacher. The Presidential Award process is not just about showcasing excellent teaching; it encourages us to look at a full learning experience, from planning to teaching to student outcomes. Through these reflections, I have been able to explore my passion, which is problem solving with young children.

Anamarie (Mia) Buljan Hayward, CA | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

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

Anamarie “Mia” Buljan has worked in the Hayward Unified School District for 28 years and has taught second grade at Fairview Elementary School for more than six years. Previously, she taught second and third grades for nine years at Glassbrook Elementary School, served four years as a district mathematics coach, taught first and third grade for six years at Park Elementary School, and taught fifth grade for three years at Tyrrell Elementary School. Mia has combined her passion for problem solving and her passion for working with English Language Learners (ELL) to focus on improving mathematical justifications by revising oral and written explanations. In her classroom, Mia brings in guest speakers, coordinates mathematics pen pals, and used Flipgrid during distance learning. Mia shares her passion through her work with the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative, where she has written the yearly “Tool Kits” for teachers to guide student work analysis for the primary Mathematics Assessment Resource Service (MARS) assessments. She has also provided professional development at summer institutes and follow-up trainings in California, Oregon, Illinois, and New York. Mia’s elementary formative assessment lessons and lessons on setting up a classroom for “Math Talks” are featured on the Inside Mathematics website, insidemathematics.org. Mia was named Teacher of the Year in the Hayward Unified School District in 2019-2020. She received her B.S. in business administration at San Francisco State University and is credentialed for elementary education with Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) certification from Saint Mary's College of California.

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