Raising Standards: One LCPS Educator Elected to National ACTE Board; One Recognized with Statewide CTE Honor and Still More Named to Prestigious Fellowships

Las Cruces Public Schools is proud to celebrate significant national and state honors recognizing the district’s leadership in Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Rachel Knight, Career Specialist and Agriculture Educator at LCPS, has been elected Agricultural Educational Vice President-Elect for the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). The election was open to ACTE’s membership of 30,000 educators, administrators, and CTE professionals nationwide. 

Knight will serve a one-year shadow term beginning in July 2026, followed by a three-year term beginning in July 2027. In this leadership role, she will help guide national strategy and policy for career and technical education.

“Serving on the ACTE Board of Directors offers high-level leadership experience, influencing the strategic direction of career and technical education nationwide,” Knight said. “I look forward to the opportunity to help shape industry policy, network with CTE leaders, and develop executive-level skills. As part of my role, I am excited to share additional CTE curriculum and professional development resources with our CTE teachers here at LCPS.” 

ACTE announced its 2026 Board of Directors election results from Alexandria, Virginia, recognizing newly elected leaders across multiple divisions and regions. 

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LCPS Administrator Named NMACTE Administrator of the Year 

In addition to Knight’s national election, LCPS is also celebrating a prestigious statewide honor. The New Mexico Association for Career and Technical Education (NMACTE) has named Gabriela Alaniz of Las Cruces Public Schools as the 2026 NMACTE Administrator of the Year. According to the January 2026 news release issued by NMACTE, the Excellence Awards recognize “exemplary leaders, educators, counselors, and industry partners whose dedication and innovation have significantly advanced CTE throughout New Mexico.”  

Alaniz is among several distinguished honorees from across the state who will now advance to represent New Mexico in the 2026 ACTE Region IV Awards for Excellence, with the opportunity to compete at the national level.  

Four LCPS Educators Named to Prestigious NMACTE Leadership Program 

At the state level, four LCPS educators were selected to participate in the NMACTE Leadership Fellows Program:  

• Michael Derr, Organ Mountain High School 
• Jennifer Holguin, Organ Mountain High School 
• Raul Perea, Las Cruces High School  
• Sam Tapia, Mayfield High School  

The LCPS educators are part of a fourth NMACTE cohort, a year-long immersive leadership experience designed to develop organizational leadership and management skills while addressing the evolving needs of New Mexico students. Throughout the program, Fellows will work alongside peer professionals and an experienced mentor, gaining valuable leadership experience and enhancing their ability to communicate, collaborate, network, problem-solve and effectively manage time and resources.