In a surprise visit today, Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla announced that Nancy Orta of East Picacho Elementary School in Las Cruces is the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. Courtesy/NMPED
First grade teacher Nancy Orta celebrates with her students today at East Picacho Elementary School in Las Cruces after hearing she was named the of 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. Courtesy/NMPED
NMPED News:
LAS CRUCES — Today, during a surprise announcement at East Picacho Elementary School in Las Cruces, New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Secretary Mariana D. Padilla named first grade teacher Nancy Orta as the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year.
“Congratulations to Nancy Orta on this incredible achievement,” Secretary Padilla said. “Working with our youngest students takes tremendous talent, kindness, and, of course, patience — and Ms. Orta exemplifies all of those traits in abundance. I look forward to gaining insight from her unique teaching experiences.”
Orta, who teaches first grade at East Picacho Elementary, has been recognized for her decades-long dedication to literacy, early childhood education and student success. She will represent New Mexico in the National Teacher of the Year competition and serve as a spokesperson for the state’s teaching profession.
Orta began her career in 2000 as an elementary school teacher and later served for 10 years as a reading interventionist, helping struggling readers gain skills and confidence. Since 2019, she has taught in kindergarten and first grade classrooms, implementing the Science of Reading and systematic phonics instruction to give students a strong foundation for lifelong learning. She has also guided literacy integration with programs such as Heggerty, Handwriting Without Tears and decodable texts.
Beyond her classroom, Orta has served as a university instructor at New Mexico State University (NMSU), preparing future teachers with the same high expectations and compassion she brings to her own students. She has also facilitated STEM enrichment through NMSU’s afterschool programming, fostering hands-on learning that sparks curiosity.
Orta earned a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from NMSU.
About New Mexico Teacher of the Year program:
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association sponsors the New Mexico Teacher of the Year program, supporting travel needs and professional development opportunities for the award winner. Established in 1963, the New Mexico Teacher of the Year program invites all school districts and charter schools to nominate outstanding educators annually. The award honors teachers who exemplify excellence in the classroom and leadership in the profession.
About NMPED:
The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities and families to ensure that all students are healthy, secure in their identity and holistically prepared for college, career and life. Currently, the PED serves about 320,000 students in 189 districts and charter schools. Find an abundance of resources for administrators, educators, families and students at New Mexico Public Education Department (state.nm.us) or follow the PED on Facebook and Instagram.