Las Cruces Public Schools proudly recognized its outstanding educators and staff during the 2026 Celebration of Excellence Awards, held Friday, April 24, at the New Mexico Farm and Range Heritage Museum.
Hosted by the LCPS Foundation, the annual event brought together Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz, the Board of Education, district leaders, educators, families, and community partners to celebrate the work of our staff at LCPS and honor their commitment for the work they do for students each day.
Gena Bermudez, Executive Director of the Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation, kicked off the celebration and welcomed guests, recognizing the hardworking individuals who inspire and motivate students across the district each day.
Finalists for each category were honored during the ceremony, highlighting the dedication, passion, and impact of LCPS employees across the district. The evening reflected the strong support of community sponsors and partners who play a vital role in advancing education in Las Cruces.
LCPS is very proud of the dedication and commitment shown by educators and school leaders selected in each category. Here are the winners for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence Awards by category:
• Teacher of the Year: Jacklyn Scarborough, 8th Grade Language Arts, Camino Real Middle School
• Educational Support Personnel of the Year: Peggy Herrod, Lead Custodian, Vista Middle School
• Service and Leadership Professional of the Year: Giovanna Musitano, Social Worker, East Picacho Elementary
• Principal of the Year: Dora Solis, Sunrise Elementary
Each award recipient was recognized with flowers and a commemorative award presented by district leaders. In addition, community sponsors generously provided monetary awards to honor their achievements:
• FirstLight Federal Credit Union awarded $1,000 to the Teacher of the Year, with $500 each presented to two finalists.
• Campos School Portraits provided $1,000 to the Educational Support Personnel of the Year, with $500 awarded to two finalists.
• Nusenda Credit Union presented $1,000 to the Service and Leadership Professional of the Year, along with $500 to two finalists.
• Century Bank awarded $1,000 to the Principal of the Year, with $500 each going to two finalists.
During the award ceremony, LCPS recognized educators who earned the honor of becoming National Board Certified Teachers. LCPS proudly recognizes:
• Lauren Apodaca, NBCT Science: Early Adolescence, Vista Middle School
• Sarah Berling, NBCT Art: Early & Middle Childhood, César Chávez Elementary School
• Ana Bruner, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, Hillrise Elementary School
• Trish Carter-Anderson, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, East Picacho Elementary School
• Yuri Leyva-Castillo, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood MacArthur Community School
• Daleen Cowder, NBCT Generalist: Early Childhood, Booker T. Washington Elementary School
• Rose A. Espino, NBCT Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, Desert Hills Elementary School
• Stacey Gonzalez, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood
• Lucia Gutierrez, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood East Picacho Elementary School
• Ida Jarvis, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, Central Elementary School
• Erica Melendrez NBCT Generalist: Early Childhood, Jornada Elementary School
• Veronica Morales, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, Alameda Elementary Community School
• Bobbie Jo Muñoz, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, Conlee Community Elementary School
• Jamie Patterson, NBCT Social Studies: Adolescence & Young Adult, K–12 Social Studies Content Specialist for Las Cruces Public Schools
• Danielle Payan, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, Hillrise Elementary School
• Jennifer Rogers NBCT Music: Early Adolescence through Young Adult, Las Cruces High School
• Carissa Soria, NBCT Generalist: Early Childhood, César Chávez Elementary School
• Olivia Wood, NBCT Literacy Reading-Language Arts: Early & Middle Childhood, César Chávez Elementary School
The Celebration of Excellence Awards shines a spotlight on the incredible individuals who make a difference in the lives of LCPS students every day. Their dedication to education and student success is what makes our school community thrive.
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