Coming off a prestigious leadership summit at Google’s California headquarters, 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year Matthew Neale is bringing a fresh vision for technology and mentorship back to his English and journalism classes at Hidden Valley High School.

The event, held in late February 2026, brought together the 56 state teachers of the year at Google’s campuses in Mountain View and Santa Clara, California. For Neale, the journey to California began in May 2025, when he was named the 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year.

The selection was historic: Neale is the first educator in the history of Roanoke County Public Schools to receive the commonwealth’s highest honor.

While the state title is new, Neale’s impact is built on a two-decade career defined by his signature philosophy, “ASK” — approachable, standards and kindness. Despite the honors, Neale remains modest about the recognition.

“It was an award, not a win,” Neale said. “This was a very humbling and truly uplifting experience.”

The road to the state title began at Capitol Square in Richmond, where top educators from every region of Virginia gathered. Neale first stood out as the Region 6 (Western Virginia) Teacher of the Year before being selected for the statewide honor.

That recognition placed him in the running for National Teacher of the Year and led to his recent invitation to collaborate with technology leaders and fellow educators at Google.

Now back in Roanoke County, Neale is ready to translate his national experience into local inspiration for his students. During his time at Google, Neale explored new digital approaches to learning. “I was training with the Google Vibe Coding team,” Neale said. “They showed us how to use AI to build apps that you can use in  your own classroom.”

The experience allowed him to expand his classroom skills and introduce new technology that can enhance students’ learning experiences.

While the spotlight remains on him, Neale said he is focused on the impact at home. He plans to incorporate new “vibe coding” techniques and a refreshed vision for his journalism and English classes.

“I love how Dr. Neale really makes it a priority to find a personal connection with each and every one of his students,” said junior Lauren Dudley.

For Neale, the ultimate reward isn’t the recognition on his desk but seeing his students thrive as they find their own voices in and out of the classroom.