Each year, individual campuses nominate their Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Personnel of the Year, highlighting the exceptional work happening in classrooms and schools across the district.
Source: Las Cruces Public Schools
By Kelly Jameson
Photo: Courtesy
Las Cruces Public Schools proudly recognized outstanding educators and staff during the annual Campus Employees of the Year celebration on Wednesday, April 1, at Columbia Elementary School. During the event, the district announced the semi-finalists and finalists for several of its highest honors, including Educational Support Personnel of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and the inaugural Service and Leadership Professional of the Year award.
“This evening’s recognition isn’t just about the incredible work you do,” LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz told a standing room-only crowd in Columbia’s multipurpose room, “it’s also about the fact that your peers have chosen you for this honor. That speaks volumes about the impact you have on our students and our community. Thank you for the work you do every day.”
Each year, individual campuses nominate their Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Personnel of the Year, highlighting the exceptional work happening in classrooms and schools across the district. In contrast, candidates for Principal of the Year and the new Service and Leadership Professional of the Year award were selected through a community-wide nomination process, welcoming input from staff, students, families, and the broader Las Cruces community.
Finalists for Teacher of the Year will now advance to the classroom observation phase of the selection process. Following those observations, the field will be narrowed to three finalists.
Winners in all categories will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence dinner, hosted by the Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation, on April 24. Finalists and winners will receive cash prizes made possible through the generosity of community donors. For more information on the Celebration of Excellence dinner, visit www.lcpsf.org.
The LCPS Teacher of the Year will also go on to represent the district at the state level in the New Mexico Teacher of the Year program. Last year, LCPS educator Nancy Orta of East Picacho Elementary was selected as the New Mexico Teacher of the Year, bringing statewide recognition to the district’s commitment to excellence.
Here are the 2026 semi-finalists and finalists:
Teacher of the Year:
Semi-finalists:
Emily Bennett, PreK – 5th Teacher, Doña Ana Elementary School
Daisy Granados, 3rd Grade Teacher, Tombaugh Elementary School
Jackie Scarborough, 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Camino Real Middle School
Kristen Silver, Band Teacher, Mesa Middle School
Jennifer White, Science Teacher, Mayfield High School
Finalists:
Semifinalists above will now advance to classroom observation to determine 3 finalists
Educational Support Personnel of the Year
Semi-finalists:
Frank Dominguez, Lead Custodian, Mayfield High School
Anna Flamio, Virtual Learning Coach, Organ Mountain High School
Jamie Foy, Security Officer, Hillrise Elementary School
Karina Herrera, Community & Family Facilitator, LCPS Bilingual Community Outreach
Peggy Herrod, Lead Custodian, Vista Middle School
Ernesto Johnsey, Lead Custodian, Sonoma Elementary School
Gloria Lucero-Ratliff, Registrar, Columbia Elementary School
Alex Ramirez, Security Officer, Zia Middle School
Marcella Rodriguez, Lead Custodian, Arrowhead Park Early College High School
Finalists:
Jamie Foy, Hillrise Elementary School
Anna Flamio, Organ Mountain High School
Peggy Herrod, Vista Middle School
Principal of the Year
Finalists:
Sonia Campos, Conlee Elementary School
Eric Fraass, Mayfield High School
Dora Solis, Sunrise Elementary School
Service and Leadership Professional of the Year (Inaugural Award)
Semi-finalists:
Veronica Chavez, Assistant Principal, Loma Heights Elementary School
Melissa Leyva, Assistant Director, LCPS Information Operations
April Marquez, SPED Social Worker, Lynn Middle School
Giovanna Musitano, Social Worker, East Picacho Elementary School
Karen Sivils, Physical Therapist, Las Cruces Public Schools Special Education
Finalists:
April Marquez, Lynn Middle School
Giovanna Musitano, East Picacho Elementary School
Karen Sivils, Las Cruces Public Schools
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