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Award Notification:  Matthew Hajdun (VT '12)

Burlington, VT   |    Oct 15, 2012
Champlain Elementary School

Matthew Hajdun Receives “Awesome” $25,000 Milken Educator Award

It was a happy day for Matthew Hajdun of Champlain Elementary School in Burlington, Vermont. The fifth-grade teacher experienced the surprise of a lifetime when he was presented with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award. State Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca and Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley joined in the fanfare for Matthew -– also known as "Mr. Quizner" for rollerblading into the gym and quizzing students. His enthusiasm to move every student forward is working: student achievement scores for reading, writing, math and science all rank above district and state averages. "My students make it all worthwhile," said Matthew. "The community at Chaplain really helped me become the teacher I am today."