Celebration of Excellence in Education – Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation

CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS DINNER

Congratulations to all outstanding LCPS educator and staff finalists and winners!

LCPS and the LCPS Foundation honored outstanding educators and staff at the 2026 Celebration of Excellence Awards on April 24.

Finalists and winners were celebrated for their dedication, impact, and the strong community support behind them.

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, Columbia Elementary

Principal of the Year: Dora Solis, Sunrise Elementary

Congratulations to all 2026 National Board Certified Teachers.

National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.

We celebrate excellence by awarding:

First, thank you for supporting my classroom! For being a first year teacher it has been difficult to get the supplies I need. By your generous donation I was able to get a much needed easel for my students and I to use for writing. I could not be more thankful for the opportunity and donation

Thank you for your efforts in making these scholarships available to high school graduates. Being recognized with the scholarship based on my academic achievements extracurricular activities and educations goals was truly a gift and a highlight of my senior year.

I would like to that you for your generosity and support. I received the Dr. Jim and Mary Tucker Memorial Scholarship, because of this my goals are within reach.

Thank you for your efforts in making these scholarships available to high school graduate. Being Recognized with this scholarship based on my academic achievements, extracurricular additivities, and educational goals was truly a gift an a highlight of my senior year

Thank you so much! 😄 Woohoo!!!

Thank you so much for the beautifully done dinner recognizing Teacher of the Year, Assistant of the Year, and National Board recipients. It was a very special night having so many people together. Again, I appreciate the evening. It is one that I will never forget.