Matthew Waynee has been recognized as the 2026 National Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education, an honor awarded from a field of nearly 240,000 career and technical education (CTE) educators across the country. The award, presented in December, recognizes excellence in preparing students for careers through hands-on, industry-aligned education.
Waynee teaches Media Arts and Video Production at the 32nd Street USC Media Arts and Engineering Magnet (Los Angeles Unified School District), where he has spent more than a decade building pathways in filmmaking and animation that give students both creative confidence and real-world skills.
“I feel like the visual arts are really important, whether it’s filmmaking, whether it’s streaming, YouTube, it’s everywhere,” Waynee says. “But I challenge them, why just sit back and take it in? If you can create something, whether it’s your voice or your passion, we need more perspectives.”
Before entering the classroom, Waynee worked as a screenwriter and director, creating feature scripts, music videos, and short films. Since joining the school in 2013, he has brought that industry experience directly to his students, introducing them to professional tools and workflows including cinematography, editing, lighting, and story development.
Through partnerships with industry leaders, including collaborations that helped expand the school’s animation curriculum, students gain exposure to both traditional filmmaking and emerging creative technologies. These pathways open doors not only to careers in film and media, but also to fields such as design, architecture, and digital production where visual storytelling skills are increasingly essential.
Students consistently point to the creative freedom in Waynee’s classroom as a defining experience. From developing original films to experimenting with animation and visual storytelling, they are encouraged to explore their own perspectives while building technical skills. Field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on access to equipment further connect classroom learning to real-world creative environments.
Waynee credits this recognition to the broader community that supports his work.
“Receiving this award is a testament to all of the amazing partners and supporters that we have,” he shared. “I cannot thank the Golden Globe Foundation enough for its continued support of me and my CTE pathways over the years.”
The Golden Globe Foundation supports programs like Waynee’s that expand access to creative education and open pathways into careers in film, media, and storytelling. His recognition highlights the impact of sustained investment in educators who are preparing the next generation of creators.
Congratulations to Matthew Waynee from all of us at the Golden Globe Foundation. It is inspiring to see this work recognized on a national stage.
