He is in his fifth year teaching Digital Photography and Digital Cinema at Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center, where he has guided his students to great success with numerous state championships in film and photography competitions through the SkillsUSA student organization. Along with his students, Hlavaty directs the Clean Shorts Film Festival, which has been recognized as one of the top 100 reviewed film festivals on FilmFreeway.com. Hlavay is also the Oklahoma City producer for the 48 Hour Film Project.