Nevada Names Brooke Wheatley Teacher of the Year
The Las Vegas social studies educator will now represent the state in the national Teacher of the Year competition.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Secondary Education
Valley High School social studies teacher Brooke Wheatley has been named the 2027 Nevada Teacher of the Year. She will advance to compete for the national title.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the contributions of exceptional educators who support student development and mental health. The award also positions Wheatley as a primary representative for the state’s secondary education system.
Brooke Wheatley is a National Board Certified Teacher and a certified Teen Mental Health First Aid instructor. She previously received the 2021 Nevada History Teacher of the Year award and the 2023 Heart of Education Award.
The players
Brooke Wheatley
She is a social studies teacher at Valley High School in Las Vegas and a certified Teen Mental Health First Aid instructor.
Gabriela Whitemarsh
She is an educator who was previously named the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Washington state.
The details
Wheatley, who currently teaches at Valley High School in Las Vegas, brings a background that includes teaching at Pasco High School during the 2014 to 2015 period. Her career in secondary education began after graduating from Pasco High School in 1998.
Timeline
1998: Brooke Wheatley graduated from Pasco High School.
2014-2015: Wheatley served as a teacher at Pasco High School.
2021: Wheatley earned the Nevada History Teacher of the Year award.
2023: Wheatley received the Heart of Education Award.
2027: Wheatley was named the Nevada Teacher of the Year.
Culture Shift
The selection of state Teachers of the Year highlights a broader trend toward professionalizing and recognizing the vital role of secondary education instructors. This aligns with the national Teacher of the Year competition, which acts as a platform to elevate the standard of teaching across U.S. school districts.
The award brings positive attention to Valley High School and the instructional quality within the Las Vegas educational community. Students and families may see increased visibility for the school's social studies and mental health curriculum.
The takeaway
Effective educators often combine deep subject matter expertise with specialized skills like mental health training to better support students. This balanced approach is increasingly essential for success in modern secondary classrooms.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic initiatives in our guide to Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.
