MATT WINHEIM
Matthew Winheim has proudly served his community as a STEM/STEAM educational leader for over 20 years. As a lifelong resident of the “Aerospace Valley” and an Air Force veteran, his journey is deeply rooted in service dedicated to both his country and his community. His time at Edwards Air Force Base in the late 1990’s was transformative; it was there that Airman Winheim discovered his aptitude for mathematics and a passion for helping others excel in it.
After his service, Mr. Winheim used his GI Bill benefits to earn a degree in liberal studies with a minor in mathematics and then worked to earn a professional clear teaching credential. This marked the beginning of his career as an educator, STEM/STEAM advocate, and educational leader. In 2002, he began teaching Mathematics and AVID at Little rock HS in the Antelope Valley Union High School District. He has worked as a mathematics teacher, site and district administrator overseeing Math and Science curriculum, and was instrumental in developing STEM/STEAM programs from transitional kindergarten to early college levels. His experience spans traditional and charter public education systems.
One of his earliest achievements was in 2009, when he and a group of colleagues developed and implemented a pioneering mathematics course for high school seniors. Matt had the honor of leading the group. This course was a “first of its kind” effort, a collaborative activity between the high school district and the local community college. The course facilitated a smooth transition into community college math sequences, reducing remediation needs and helping students enter STEM career pathways more efficiently.
In 2011, Mr. Winheim was recruited by the Palmdale School District to establish “The Palmdale Aerospace Academy” as its founding administrator. Over the next five years, he served as a site administrator and eventually became the Academy’s first Deputy Headmaster. In 2020, and after stepping away from the Academy for a few years, he was recruited back to provide leadership during a time of significant leadership transition and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He says his goal has always been to ensure all students have equitable access to the best, most relevant, and rigorous STEM/STEAM education programs. He holds a master’s degree in mathematics education and is a licensed private pilot. Outside of work, he dedicates his time to his wife and kids, and his passion for serving those who serve us.
Matt is a Past-President (2022-2025) of the Edwards Air Force Base Civilian-Military Support Group (Civ-Mil) and continues to serve serves as a Director. He is also the immediate Past-President of the EAFB STARBASE non-profit, and the founding President of the Antelope Valley Mathematics Council (AVMC), an affiliate of the California Mathematics Council-South (CMC-S). Additionally, he served as the STEM Activities Chairperson for the Los Angeles County Air Show from 2018 to 2020. In October 2022, he was honored as a “Hometown Hero” at the Aerospace Valley Open House and STEM Exhibit at Edwards Air Force Base, which granted him the incredible opportunity to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds. In January of 2025 he was selected as the California State Teacher of the Year and the only educator chosen to represent the
state of California at the National State Teachers of the Year conference for 2025.
Currently, he has the honor of teaching Aviation to middle school students in the Palmdale School District, where he integrates fundamentals of aeronautics with mathematics and scientific engineering principles, aiming to inspire students in underserved areas of his high desert community to aviation greatness.
