Educator Profile    Educators

Matthew Hajdun (VT '12)

Assistant Director of Learning

The Columbus School
Medellín, Colombia

Grade(s): Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

At the time of the Award, Matthew Hajdun was:

Teacher
Champlain Elementary School
Burlington, VT

Subject(s) taught: General Elementary
Grade(s): 4, 5

https://https://sites.google.com/view/matthajdun/home


Biographical Information

Matthew Hajdun's fifth-grade classroom at Burlington's Champlain Elementary dives into the day with a morning meeting, then engages in innovative lessons that frequently take students out of the room and often weaves Spanish into the curriculum. (He spent time teaching in a Honduran orphanage, so he's well-versed in the language.) But the classroom is not the only place where you will find this fun-loving educator. He makes surprise visits to the gym, where he rollerblades in as "Mr. Quizner" to ask kids exam questions.

As part of a classroom looping program, Hajdun taught his current students last year as fourth graders. He differentiates instruction, which is grounded in the latest research-based information, and is talented at teaching complex concepts. Highly inclusive, Hajdun is skilled with special education students as well as those who are gifted. He teaches social skills and social responsibility, and hosts family picnics, ice skating parties and movie nights. Students become book buddies with younger pupils and Hajdun has even fashioned a cozy spot in the room for kids to head for a break if they are struggling. Student achievement scores for reading, writing, math and science all rank above district and state averages.

Described as "a stellar cooperating teacher for student teachers," Hajdun is observed by undergraduate education majors as a model teacher. A grade-level team leader, he mentors student teachers, holds a leadership role on Champlain's literacy team, and heads the grade- level and data teams. Hajdun wrote and led a districtwide reading program and is active in multiple community volunteer roles, many of which deal with literacy. His guiding star: "What is best for children."


Matthew Hajdun Newsletters

Surprise Reveals an Insight into our Newest Milken Educators
Oct 19, 2012


Matthew Hajdun In The News

Burlington Educator Scores In "The Oscars Of Teaching"
VPR  |  Oct 22, 2012  |  Colchester , VT

Vt. Teacher recieves prestigious award, $25,000
WPTZ-TV  |  NBC  |  Oct 16, 2012  |  Burlington, VT

Burlington teacher wins national $25,000 award
Burlingtonfreepress.com  |  Oct 16, 2012  |  Burlington, VT

Champlain Elementary Teacher Honored
VPR.NET  |  NPR  |  Oct 16, 2012  |  Colchester, VT

Burlington teacher wins 25k award
WCAX-TV  |  CBS  |  Oct 15, 2012  |  Burlington, VT

Champlain Elementary School teacher receives $25,000 national Milken Educator Award
Vermontbiz.com  |  Oct 15, 2012  |  South Burlington, VT

Vt. Teacher recieves prestigious award, $25,000
NECN.com  |  Comcast  |  Oct 15, 2012  |  Newton, MA

Champlain Elementary School teacher receives $25,000 national Milken Educator Award
VTDIGGER  |  Oct 15, 2012  |  Montpelier, VT

Burlington, Vt., teacher gets $25K award
WJAC-TV / NBC  |  Associated Press  |  Jan 01, 2012  |  Johnstown, PA

Additional Information

Degrees/Certifications

M.Ed - Reading concentration, Saint Michael's College, 2013


Publications/Presentations

A Closer Look at Close Reading for ELL's

Practicing Language Through Play: Purposeful Early Language Learning

Translanguaging Together: Building Bilingual Identities con Nuevos Amigos


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