2026 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 295

Commending Matt Neale, J.D., 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year.

Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026

WHEREAS, Matt Neale, J.D., an esteemed educator at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke County, was named the 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Matt Neale is a passionate and dedicated educator with over two decades of service teaching English, theater, and journalism at Hidden Valley High School and Cave Spring High School; and

WHEREAS, Matt Neale serves as the faculty sponsor of the Titan Times, Hidden Valley's Theatre Club, and Spring Musical; and

WHEREAS, outside of the classroom, Matt Neale also serves the community as a volunteer for restorative justice mediation at the Bride Institute, provides pro bono state family law mediation, and serves on the coaching staff of multiple schools and community soccer teams; and

WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, Matt Neale has been instrumental in developing curriculum and extracurricular programs that challenge students to reach their full potential and prepare them for success in their future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Matt Neale, J.D., on his selection as the 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Matt Neale, J.D., as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation of his exemplary service to the Commonwealth.