Social studies teacher who promotes equity and empathy is Wake’s top educator
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Matin Maani, a seventh-grade social studies teacher, won Wake County Teacher of the Year.
- Maani fosters empathy, curiosity and mutual respect by teaching multiple perspectives.
- His prize includes a $1,000 check and use of a 2026 Chevrolet for one year.
An educator who has been teaching for just four years has been named the Wake County school system’s top teacher.
Matin Maani, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Apex Friendship Middle School in Apex, won the 2026 Wake County Teacher of the Year award at a banquet Wednesday night at the Raleigh Convention Center. Maani has been teaching at Apex Friendship since graduating in 2022 from N.C. State’s College of Education.
During his acceptance speech, Maani told his colleagues in the audience that his award is a collective victory.
“It is a testament to the power of vibrant communities that nurture friendship, that recognize the nobility of every person and work together in service to humanity and its shared aspirations, which we so need today,” Maani said. “And I see this in all the principles of the faith that I am a part of, which is the Baháʼí Faith.
“This award also proves to me that it truly takes a village to help someone grow, and that village, that family includes the wonderful students at Apex Friendship Middle School.”
Maani was praised for creating a learning environment where students feel safe, seen and empowered to grow.
“He cares so much about the students, he’s all about making them better and making every lesson engaging,” said Jeremy Thomas, a fellow Apex Friendship seventh-grade social studies teacher. “He wants to see that every day when his students walk out of his classroom that they’re just a little bit better.”
Commitment to equity and empathy
Maani spent his formative years living overseas, according to a 2020 N.C. State news article. His experiences attending an international school in China and volunteering at the Baha’i World Center in Israel helped expose him to the importance of teachers.
In his classroom, Maani encourages students to engage with multiple perspectives and see themselves as active participants in their own learning. According to the district, this approach has helped foster a classroom culture built on empathy, curiosity and mutual respect.
Outside the classroom, Maani is an adviser to the school’s chess club and co-chairs Apex Friendship’s Equity Committee. Wake says Maani has helped lead professional development centered on navigating difficult conversations and interrupting classroom bias.
During his speech, Maani held up a paper crane that was a gift from his students. The students wrote their initials on the crane.
“How blessed we are — all those who are in education — to stand beside our students and encourage them as they become champions of compassion, of justice, and unity in our world today,” Maani said. “May we continue supporting one another as we accompany our students to discover purpose, to develop character, and learn how to contribute to the betterment of humanity,”
Wake County Teacher of the Year Finalists
Maani was among the Teacher of the Year winners chosen from each Wake school. The list was whittled down to 10 finalists:
- Shana Barr, music teacher at Swift Creek Elementary
- Ahmed Benamrane, English as a Second Language teacher at Reedy Creek Elementary
- Nicole D’Arcy, sixth-grade math teacher at Wendell Middle
- Krista Dingess, third-grade teacher at Combs Elementary
- Emily Dunn, cross categorical resource teacher at Hortons Creek Elementary
- Theresa Howard, first-grade teacher at Barton Pond Elementary
- Claire Johnson, kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary
- Sarah Kronenwetter, chorus teacher at South Garner High
- Kristin Mares, seventh-grade social studies teacher at Moore Square Middle
Maani’s prize package includes a $1,000 check. Maani also gets use of a 2026 Chevrolet vehicle from Capital Chevrolet for the next year.
Maani will go on to compete in North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year program. Last week, Mariah Walker of the Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy was named the 2026 North Carolina Principal of the Year, The News & Observer previously reported.
This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Social studies teacher who promotes equity and empathy is Wake’s top educator."
