The NEA (National Education Association) Foundation recently announced that Mason Magagna, a Spanish teacher at Cheyenne East High School, is one of only 48 public school educators from across the country selected to receive the esteemed 2026 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence.
These honorees are recognized for their excellence in the classroom, leadership in the teaching profession, community engagement, and commitment to expanding opportunities for all through public education.
“Mason is a model educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom,” Wyoming Education Association President Kim Amen said. “He is never focused on what’s in it for him – he’s always focused on his students, his peers, and his community.”
Since 2001, The NEA Foundation has honored hundreds of educators nationwide with the Awards for Teaching Excellence. This year’s honorees will be celebrated in February at the 2026 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, taking place in Washington, D.C.
“I appreciate the recognition for this award, though I feel l am honestly just doing my job,” Magagna said. “Like all of my colleagues, I show up, and I do what’s best for my students and support them so that they have a safe and welcoming environment where they can learn and be their authentic selves. If this gives me a platform to advocate for public education in Wyoming, then I hope I can make a difference!”
“In every way, Mason exemplifies what it means to be a great educator. He is a leader, a learner, and a champion for students,” Amen said.
Five of the 48 awardees will receive the coveted Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence. Each will receive a $10,000 award and be featured in a short original documentary showcasing their classroom practice. One will be selected for the NEA Member Benefits Award, the highest honor in public education, and receive $25,000. To learn more about this year’s awardees, visit www.neafoundation.org.