Gagik Galfayan, a history teacher at Glendale’s Woodrow Wilson Middle School, was named 2027 California Teacher of the Year, alongside four other educators by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Thursday.
The honor is in recognition of the teachers’ outstanding commitment to students, schools, and communities across the state.
The five educators will serve as ambassadors for the teaching profession and represent California educators throughout 2027, according to an announcement by the California Department of Education.
“California’s Teachers of the Year represent the very best of our profession. They see the potential in every student and work each day to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “These exceptional educators are an inspiration and example of the exceptional work going on in California schools. I am proud to recognize them and grateful for the difference they are making for our students.”
Presented by the California Department of Education and supported by the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, the California Teachers of the Year Program has honored outstanding educators since 1972 and helps elevate the teaching profession and inspire the next generation of California teachers.
Galfayan was the only educator from Los Angeles County selected for the 2027 award
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Galfayan is a seventh-grade history teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Glendale Unified School District. His journey began in April when he was selected as Glendale Unified’s Teacher of the Year. He then advanced to become one of 16 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year before completing the highly competitive statewide selection process, which included an extensive application, classroom observation, and interviews.
Galfayan immigrated to the United States from Armenia with his family in 1995 as a child. He attended Glendale public schools, learned English, and eventually returned to teach in the very district that helped shape his future.
Now in his 14th year of teaching, Galfayan has dedicated his career to supporting students from diverse backgrounds, especially immigrant students and English learners. Earlier in his career, he also taught in Glendale Unified’s Armenian Dual Language Immersion Program, helping students develop their language skills while maintaining a connection to their Armenian heritage.
Galfayan’s contributions also extend beyond his own classroom. He helped co-write the Armenian American section of California’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, which was adopted by the California State Board of Education in 2021.
His involvement helped ensure that Armenian American history, immigration experiences, and cultural contributions would be represented in educational resources available to schools throughout California. This is a particularly meaningful accomplishment for someone who immigrated from Armenia and has spent his career helping students understand the importance of their history, culture, and identity.
Beyond these accomplishments, Galfayan serves as a department chair, mentor to new teachers, yearbook advisor, and advocate for public education.
Patrick Davarhanian contributed to this story.