RICHMOND, Va. – For the first time ever, a Roanoke County Public Schools teacher is the best in the Commonwealth.
Matthew Neale is an English and journalism teacher at Hidden Valley High School and is the 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year. He was previously honored as the Region 6 winner earlier this year.
“The world goes in circles right, and so now I hope that now I’m teaching somebody who’ve I’ve made a difference, and they’re gonna go out and do the same and go be that teacher that makes a difference, or be that support system that does,” said Neale.
“I don’t even consider myself the best teacher in this building. So for me to be considered one of the top teachers in the state is kind of mind-blowing.
“I feel like it’s been a great moment, but I’ll be honest with you, I get great moments every day doing my job. I get to coach. I get to work with journalism students. I get work with English students.”
Matthew Neale
Neale has been a teacher at Hidden Valley High School for 20 years.
In his time at the school, Neale has led opioid awareness programs and reinvigorated the school’s journalism program.