Capital High School medical science teacher Stephanie Gurule-Leyba has been named 2017 New Mexico Teacher of the Year by the state’s Public Education Department.
Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera surprised Gurule-Leyba by making the announcement Monday at the Santa Fe high school.
“Mrs. Gurule-Leyba is a dedicated champion for students and she represents the very best of our teachers across the state,” Skandera said in a news release. “She has impacted hundreds of lives during her 20 years of service and demonstrates the excellence in teaching each and every day that this award recognizes. I’m so proud to have her in New Mexico, sharing her passion for science and medicine, and inspiring students to reach their full potential.”
Gurule-Leyba has taught biology, chemistry, physics, human anatomy and physiology and other classes during her career. She currently heads the Medical Science Academy and serves as department co-chair. She is credited with starting the “Scrub Club” summer program, which offers students in grades 4 to 8 with hands-on experience in science and medicine, in 2012. Already, more than 700 students have participated in the program.
A New Mexico Highlands University graduate, Gurule-Leyba became attracted to teaching after taking a teaching elective course in college, according to the release. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s in counseling and education.
Gurule-Leyba was one of nine semi-finalists for the honor. All candidates were required to submit a resume, essay, and three letters of recommendation. They were also required to demonstrate professional and community engagement. A committee made up of education leaders reviewed the applications and narrowed the list to two finalists, and Skandera chooses the winner.
Gurule-Leyba will join teachers from around the country in Washington, D.C. next year when the President of the United Sates and the Council of Chief State Officers names the National Teacher of the Year, picked by a selection committee representing national education organizations, according to the release.
