Kristin Garletts Named 2027 New Mexico Teacher of the Year
The Volcano Vista High School educator was honored for her work in English language arts and journalism.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Does honoring individual teachers help improve the quality of schools in your community?
The New Mexico Public Education Department has selected Kristin Garletts as the state's 2027 Teacher of the Year. Garletts, an English language arts and journalism instructor, will represent educators throughout New Mexico next year.
Why it matters
Recognizing excellence in the classroom highlights the commitment to high-quality instruction in secondary schools across the state. This distinction spotlights the dedication of educators who shape the academic experience for New Mexico students.
Kristin Garletts serves as an educator for ninth-grade students at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque. She holds endorsements in language arts, reading, English to speakers of other languages, and library media sciences.
The players
Kristin Garletts
An English language arts and journalism teacher at Volcano Vista High School who is a National Board Certified Teacher.
New Mexico Public Education Department
The state agency responsible for overseeing public schools and managing the annual teacher recognition program.
The details
The announcement occurred during a school assembly where the New Mexico Public Education Department recognized Garletts for her professional achievements. Garletts is a National Board Certified Teacher and earned her bachelor's degree in English education summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University.
Timeline
The New Mexico Public Education Department announced the award on September 25, 2026.
Garletts will serve as the New Mexico Teacher of the Year throughout 2027.
The Home Front
State teacher honors frequently highlight the importance of advanced credentials such as National Board Certification in maintaining educational quality. This selection process reflects ongoing efforts by state authorities to standardize and celebrate excellence within public school classrooms.
Parents with students at Volcano Vista High School can review their children's course materials to understand the curriculum taught by award-winning faculty. Checking your district's teacher recognition criteria can provide insight into the professional standards supported by your local school.
The takeaway
Celebrating accomplished teachers can help families better engage with their local school leadership. You can stay informed on district achievements by following official updates from your local board of education throughout the academic year.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's approach to classrooms by visiting Secondary Education.
Live Poll
Does honoring individual teachers help improve the quality of schools in your community?
