Las Cruces Nancy Orta Named 2026 New Mexico Teacher of Year

Nancy Orta, a first-grade teacher at East Picacho Elementary School in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was named the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year in a surprise announcement by Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla. Orta has decades of experience in education, having started her career in 2000 and serving 10 years as a reading interventionist to help struggling readers. Since 2019, she has implemented the Science of Reading and systematic phonics instruction in her kindergarten and first-grade classrooms to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Beyond teaching, Orta serves as a university instructor at New Mexico State University, preparing future educators, and has facilitated STEM enrichment programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from NMSU and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University. Orta will represent New Mexico in the National Teacher of the Year competition and act as a spokesperson for the state's teaching profession.