Kristin Garletts Named New Mexico Teacher of the Year
The New Mexico Public Education Department honored the Volcano Vista High School educator for her teaching excellence.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Kristin Garletts, a National Board Certified Teacher at Volcano Vista High School, has been selected as the 2027 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. The honor recognizes her commitment to instruction in English language arts and journalism.
Why it matters
The annual award highlights the professional achievements of New Mexico educators who demonstrate excellence in classroom engagement and academic leadership. Garletts will serve as a representative for the state’s teaching community throughout 2027.
Garletts holds endorsements in reading, language arts, English to speakers of other languages, and library media sciences. She graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in English education.
The players
Kristin Garletts
She is a National Board Certified Teacher at Volcano Vista High School who holds multiple state endorsements in language arts and library media.
New Mexico Public Education Department
This state agency oversees public education in New Mexico and is responsible for selecting the annual state Teacher of the Year.
Volcano Vista High School
Located in Albuquerque, this public secondary school is where Garletts instructs ninth-grade students in English and journalism.
The details
The New Mexico Public Education Department announced the award during a school assembly held at Volcano Vista High School. Garletts, who teaches ninth-grade students, is also a National Board Certified Teacher.
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 Big Picture
The selection of a National Board Certified Teacher reinforces the state's alignment with established National Board Certification standards for professional teaching excellence. This trajectory highlights a focus on recognizing educators who meet rigorous, verified benchmarks for instructional quality.
Students at Volcano Vista High School will continue to learn under an educator recognized for state-level excellence in English and journalism. Families in the Albuquerque area benefit from the high professional standards maintained by award-winning staff within the local district.
The takeaway
The selection of Kristin Garletts brings visibility to the standard of instruction available to ninth-grade students in New Mexico. Recognizing excellence in the classroom remains a primary method for the state to promote professional development and retain high-quality teachers.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of local schools in the Secondary Education section.
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