New Mexico State Teachers of the Year

10/16/2025

Our monthly NMTOY meeting. We had 9 participants today 🤩🥳.

09/29/2025

Welcome the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year, Nancy Orta

09/29/2025

Congratulations to the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Finalists.

01/28/2025

Congratulations to Lorilei Chavez, 2025 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. On Monday, January 27, 2025 she was recognized at the State Capital in Santa Fe during the Senate Introduction. She was supported by fellow NMToYs
Stephanie Gurle, Tara Hughes, and Mandi Torrez.

11/10/2024

NMSU Panel
On November 6, three New Mexico ToYs were able to speak on a panel, in-person at New Mexico State University. NMTOYs 1997, 2013, and 2022 spoke to a group of Secondary Educators who are finishing up their student-teaching practicums. The conversations were about classroom discipline, balancing work/life, and knowing it’s ok to say NO during your first teacher teaching. One comment of advice to the new teachers, “If it wet and not yours, don’t touch it!” Thank you to Joshua Silver for always inviting the NMToYs to speak to pre-service teachers.

10/31/2024

Lorilei Chavez, a dedicated teacher from Bernalillo High School, has been named the 2025 New Mexico Teacher of the Year! 🎉

A surprise celebration was held, attended by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Secretary Designate Mariana Padilla, and representatives from New Mexico Oil & Gas (NMOGA) , Abenicio Baldonado, and David Del Mauro. Her proud students, colleagues, family, and past winners joined the celebration to honor her incredible achievement.

Lorilei is the first Native American in history to receive this prestigious award for New Mexico, a true testament to her passion and commitment to education!

Join us in congratulating Lorilei for this well-deserved recognition!

#2025

10/29/2024

Some of the New Mexico Teachers of the year went to Santa Fe to talk with NM Public Education Department’s Dr. Garcia and Lucas Baca to discuss how NMSTOY can help with the TOY process. Pat Graff, 1993 NMSTOY and National Teacher of the Year Finalist, Tara Hughes 2023, Pamela Cort 2013, Mandi Torres 2020

10/01/2024

Congratulations to David Morales. Continue the hard work of supporting students.

https://www.krqe.com/new-mexico-living/mayfield-high-school-teacher-david-morales-awarded-a-golden-apple/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1ImK4YeMMY7sUwZNIhY1Z7uE-Nx6ZhrM-ou01G8g6jK1Sa8AVpK4oRtDM_aem_DGKhHIqDkOCqBe1Qububbg

The Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico names teachers from across the state for the Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award each year. New Mexico Living will be highlighting each of this year’…

07/25/2024

Honored to be involved with the New Mexico State Teachers of the Year attending the prestigious 2024 National Teachers Leading Conference in Denver, Colorado!
These are some of the coolest people on the planet!
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year

07/25/2024

New Mexico Teachers of the Year representing at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year in Denver, CO. ,

07/25/2024

Incredible session! Thank you so much for reminding us why we need to push through and be the light!

Kathy Nimmer: Believe When You Cannot See:Why We Owe It To Each Other to Lead and Light The Way!
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year