ACTE Announces California CTE Animation & Video Production Teacher as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). announced Matthew Waynee, CTE Animation & Video Production Teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles, CA as the 2026 ACTE Region V Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Matthew Waynee is an accomplished screenwriter and veteran educator with more than 20 years of experience in both the entertainment industry and the classroom. A Michigan native, Waynee earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California (USC). He currently teaches at the USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he helped design and launch the school’s CTE Video Production and Animation pathways from the ground up.
Waynee is a leader in expanding access to real-world learning experiences for students in Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) fields. He has written nearly $3 million in grant funding and built impactful industry partnerships with top entertainment companies including DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Illumination Pictures, NBC/Universal, and Warner Bros. His CTE Animation pathway has been selected as one of just three programs in North America to participate in a year-long mentorship program with Nickelodeon Studios.
A recognized voice in education policy and curriculum development, Waynee served on the Education Advisory Team that recently revised the California State CTE standards for all AME pathways, a framework currently pending final approval from the California Department of Education. He has also shared his expertise widely, presenting at conferences and events across the country, including the ACTE CareerTech VISION Conference and San Diego Comic Con.
In 2023, collaborating with the BRIC Foundation, he authored the first-ever U.S. Department of Labor and Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) registered Animation, Game Design & VFX Apprenticeship Program, helping students bridge the gap between school and industry in innovative and meaningful ways.
Waynee is one of five finalists for the 2026 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on December 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox, The Army, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
