Las Cruces schools honor top teacher, principal, staff
The annual Celebration of Excellence dinner was held Friday night, April 25, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
Nancy Orta, a kindergarten teacher at East Picacho Elementary School, was named the Teacher of the Year. Elizabeth Saenz, who works as a bilingual educational assistant at Centennial High School, was named the Educational Support Personnel of the Year, and Diane Barela at Mesilla Park Community Elementary School was named the Principal of the Year.
Leading up to the announcement, three finalists in each category were named, picked from a larger group of semifinalists chosen from campus-level winners.
The finalists for Teacher of the Year, in addition to Orta, were Kimberly Kaime from Picacho Middle School and Shawn Silva from Organ Mountain High School. Finalists for Educational Support Personnel of the Year, in addition to Saenz, were Sylvia Laborin from Zia Middle School and Alvaro Rivera-Parra from the LCPS Physical Plant Department.
Principal finalists, along with Barela, were Cherie Love from Doña Ana Elementary School and Yong Vega from Sierra Middle School.
Finalists were each awarded a $500 cash prize, and the winners in each category were given a $1,000 cash prize.
First Light Federal Credit Union sponsored prizes for the finalist and winner in the Teacher of the Year category, Campos School Portraits sponsored prizes in the Educational Support Personnel of the Year category and Century Bank sponsored prizes for the Principal of the Year finalists and winner.
The top educators in the district spend the coming school year representing LCPS at various events, including the State of the District Address.
The Teacher of the Year advances to a state-level consideration for the New Mexico Teacher of the Year.
Administered by the New Mexico Public Education Department, the New Mexico Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding educators who demonstrate exceptional teaching practices and leadership, LCPS said.
Other factors include teaching experience, classroom effectiveness and contributions to the teaching profession, LCPS said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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