GUSD Teacher Gagik Galfayan Named One of Los Angeles County’s Top 16 Teachers 

Wilson Middle School educator advances to the California Teachers of the Year competition.

Glendale Unified’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, Gagik Galfayan, has been named one of 16 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year for the 2026–2027 school year.

Galfayan was recognized during the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s 45th Annual Teachers of the Year Awards Banquet. The 16 honorees were selected from 72 district-level Teachers of the Year representing school districts across Los Angeles County.

The selection process included the submission of essays, lesson plans and other materials, as well as interviews with panels that included former California Teachers of the Year. Honorees were selected for their excellence in teaching, innovative classroom practices, commitment to students and lasting impact on their school communities.

Glendale Unified named Galfayan its 2026 Teacher of the Year in April, advancing him to the Los Angeles County competition. Galfayan teaches seventh-grade history at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, where he also serves as History Department Chair, teaches yearbook and leads the Debate Club. Before joining Wilson, he taught in the Armenian Dual Language Immersion Program at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

Known for his thoughtful instruction, calm leadership and deep commitment to students, Galfayan was selected as Glendale Unified’s Teacher of the Year in April.
As a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, Galfayan will now advance to the California Teachers of the Year competition.
Congratulations to Mr. Galfayan on this extraordinary and well-deserved recognition!

LA County Office of Education’s Top 16 Teachers of the Year. (Photo Courtesy LA County Office of Education)