2025 New Mexico Teacher of the Year
Lorilei Chavez – Bernalillo Public Schools
Lorilei Chavez, or Fox clan Rain Puddles, is a granddaughter, daughter, sister, cousin, friend, auntie and, most importantly, a teacher. Chavez is a proud Bernalillo High School (BHS) Spartan alum, received a Bachelor of Arts in Native American studies with a minor in history from the University of New Mexico and received a teaching certification through the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program at Central New Mexico Community College.
Chavez has spent more than 10 years working in the Bernalillo Public Schools (BPS) District. She began by working as a substitute teacher for a few years, then moved into a BHS Native American liaison position to support students and develop Indigenous school culture through a youth council, all while working toward her degree. After receiving her degree in 2018, Chavez then taught at Santo Domingo School, where she was also tasked with implementing the Indigenous Education Initiative grant. Through this grant, Chavez worked alongside teachers to review the schoolwide curriculum through a culturally relevant lens and bring a Native American agricultural identity to her school through an indigenized garden curriculum, greenhouse and outdoor classrooms.
She currently teaches a ninth through 12th grade Native American studies and yearbook course at BHS. Chavez was recently named BPS Middle School Teacher of the Year, District Teacher of the Year and 2025 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. Chavez’s focus is elevating Indigenous education and histories as well as promoting teacher wellness in schools across America.
Past New Mexico State Teachers of the Year
| Year | Name | School District/Charter | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Roy Binas Basa | Zuni Public School District | Twin Buttes Cyber Academy |
| 2023 | Tara Hughes | Santa Fe Public Schools | Nye Early Childhood Center |
| 2022 | Lorynn Guerrero | Gadsden Independent School District | Gadsen High School |
| 2021 | Alisa Cooper de Uribe | Albuquerque Public Schools (Charter) | NM International School |
| 2020 | Mandi Torrez | Bernalillo Public Schools | Placitas Elementary |
| 2019 | Jessica Sanders | Roswell Independent School District | Berrendo Middle School |
| 2018 | Ivonne Orozco | Public Academy For Performing Arts | PAPA |
| 2017 | Stephanie Gurule-Leyba | Santa Fe Public Schools | Ortiz Middle School |
| 2016 | David Morales | Las Cruces Public Schools | Mayfield High School |
| 2015 | Debra Minyard | Pojoaque Valley Schools | Pojoaque Valley High School |
| 2014 | Carolyn Torres | Los Alamos Public Schools | Chamisa Elementary |
| 2013 | Pamela Cort | Las Cruces Public Schools | Las Cruces High School |
| 2012 | MaryBeth Britton | Pecos Independent School District | Pecos High School |
| 2011 | Diana Fesmire | Alamogordo Public Schools | Chaparral Middle School |
| 2010 | Peggy Jackson | Moriarty-Edgewood School District | Moriarty High School |
| 2009 | Blythe Turner | Rio Rancho Public Schools | Rio Rancho E.S. |
| 2008 | Denise Cannon | Los Lunas Public Schools | Katherine Gallegos E.S. |
| 2007 | Tamra Tiong | Dulce Independent Schools | Dulce Elementary School |
| 2006 | Ron Christopherson | Carlsbad Municipal Schools | Carldbad High School |
| 2005 | Nancy Schick | Los Alamos Public Schools | Los Alamos High School |
| 2004 | Nancy Ackerman | Gadsden Independent School District | Santa Teresa Elementary |