Grants and Awards

In March, we celebrated our MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Educators at an awards dinner in East Lansing.

(From Left to Right) Miroslav Bozinovic, Madeleine Burns, Matthew Guyton, Caitlyn Walton.

Read below to find out more about the amazing work these educators are doing.

Miroslav Bozinovic – 2025 MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Educator

Miroslav Bozinovic is a Master Teacher of Mathematics and Instructional Leader at Western International High School in Detroit, with 24 years of teaching experience. His career has been dedicated to expanding educational equity and excellence, particularly for minority students, through collaborative and engaging mathematics instruction.

Miroslav creates classroom environments where students can express their thinking in multiple ways, clear misconceptions, and grow in confidence. He places a strong emphasis on emotional security, frequently surveying students to ensure his lessons support both their academic and social-emotional needs.

Colleagues describe Miroslav as a transformative leader who has pioneered new math courses, shaped dynamic curriculum, and fostered a culture of high expectations. Under his leadership, his department has achieved some of the highest math growth scores in the district. MCTM is proud to honor Miroslav Bozinovic as one of our 2025 Outstanding Mathematics Educators.

Madeleine Burns – 2025 MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Educator

Madeleine Burns is a Master Teacher and Instructional Coach at Mumford High School, where she teaches Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus alongside supporting professional learning for math educators. With a strong presence at both the state and national levels, she is actively involved in advancing mathematics education through organizations and events like Math in the D, which brings real-world math experiences to students.

Madeleine is passionate about developing students who can think critically, collaborate, and communicate effectively. She creates engaging, student-centered classrooms where learners build confidence through meaningful tasks and teamwork. Her energy and love for learning are contagious and serve as a powerful motivator for her students.

Beyond her own classroom, Madeleine plays a key role in transforming instruction across her school. She co-plans with colleagues, models best practices, and leads weekly department meetings to help improve teaching and learning across the board. MCTM is proud to recognize Madeleine Burns as one of our 2025 Outstanding Mathematics Educators.

Matthew Guyton – 2025 MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Educator

Matthew Guyton, a dedicated educator at Communication and Media Arts High School in Detroit, has been teaching for 18 years and currently leads instruction in all math courses, as well as physics and robotics. His journey into education was shaped by personal challenges in college math, which inspired him to support students who face similar obstacles.

Known for his energetic and student-centered classroom, Matthew creates a learning environment where students are encouraged to collaborate, think critically, and use data to guide their progress. He is deeply committed to student success, offering after-school tutoring and participating in enrichment programs like Math in the D and FIRST Robotics.

Matthew’s colleagues describe him as a passionate educator with a strong growth mindset who empowers students both academically and personally. MCTM is proud to recognize Matthew Guyton as one of our 2025 Outstanding Mathematics Educators.

Caitlyn Walton – 2025 MCTM Outstanding Mathematics Educator

Caitlyn Walton teaches math intervention and special education at Waverly High School and has 16 years of experience in secondary math education. Over the past three years, she has made a significant impact at Waverly by creating a supportive, relationship-driven learning environment for students who often struggle with math.

Caitlyn believes that trust, confidence, and comfort with making mistakes are essential to student growth. She works hard to meet students where they are and designs the right supports to help them succeed. Her students learn not just math content, but how to reflect on their thinking and collaborate to improve.

Described by her administrators as compassionate, creative, and dedicated, Caitlyn exemplifies the positive impact an educator can have. MCTM is proud to honor Caitlyn Walton as one of our 2025 Outstanding Mathematics Educators.

Pictured above are the award recipients for 2023.(left to right)  Mary Andres, Middle School Teacher of the Year, Dana Ross, High School Teacher of the year, Mike Vallier, MCTM President, Bryeana Rinvelt, Math Teacher of Promise, Diane Cerabone, PAEMST Presidential Award Finalist