2026 Educators Rising
New Mexico State Conference
Todos Unidos NM: Discover Your Potential
Our 11th annual state conference took place February 26-28, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Placements were awarded based on overall scores, with up to 1st–5th place recognized in divisions where the top five competitors met the national qualifying threshold (80th percentile or higher on the competition rubric). In divisions where fewer competitors met the qualifying standard, placements were awarded accordingly (e.g., 1st–3rd or fewer). National qualifier status was determined solely by achieving the required score, regardless of final placement. These awards recognize competitors across the state who successfully demonstrated education career skills to a panel of judges from the field.
This year, the first 40 first-place, nationally qualified competitors will have their registration fee covered to attend the Educators Rising National Conference in Portland, Oregon by EdRising NM.
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Events Calendar
Find our biggest updates for local events, conferences, registrations, and student involvement on our events calendar here!
2026 Conference Winners
Competitors this year had the requirement of meeting above an 80 percentile rubric score threshold in order to be named a national qualifier.
The list below breaks down the list of awarded competitors by competition. This list is available organized by school in the button below. Questions and comments can be directed to info@edrisingnm.org. Should corrections be made, the most recent copy will have the publish date listed.
Congratulations to ALL competitors for continuously pushing to challenge yourselves and set a new standard for teaching in New Mexico!
Competition | Division | School | Competitor | Placement | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Children's Literature K-3 | Jr Varsity | Organ Mountain High School | Areli Soto | 1st | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Jr Varsity | Organ Mountain High School | Jazmyn Richmann | 1st | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Jr Varsity | Taos High School | Pretty Plume Rainer | 1st | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Jr Varsity | Clovis High School | Christian Thomas | 3rd | |
Children's Literature K-3 | Middle School | Logan Municipal School | Ambree Bass | 1st | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Middle School | Logan Municipal School | Kanyon Cox | 1st | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Middle School | Logan Municipal School | Emery Baggett | 2nd | |
Children's Literature K-3 | Middle School | Logan Municipal School | Faith Ballew | 2nd | |
Children's Literature K-3 | Varsity | Alamogordo High School | Liliana Barajas | 1st | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Varsity | Carlsbad High School | Sergio Lopez | 2nd | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Varsity | Carlsbad High School | Jolee Munoz | 3rd | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Varsity | Del Norte High School | Maya Werito | 4th | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Varsity | Career Enrichment Center | Janexy Sandoval | 5th | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 | Varsity | Career Enrichment Center | Marissa Yotter-Nunez | 5th | National Qualifier |
Children's Literature K-3 Spanish | Jr Varsity | Deming High School | Aylin Hermosillo | 1st | National Qualifier |
MEET THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
David Edward Garcia
Opening Keynote Speaker
8 pm - ABC Ballrooms
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
David is the only 5-language-speaking-motivational-comedian on the planet! David empathizes with diverse students who face challenges because he was once considered an “at-risk student” himself before defying the odds and graduating with a bachelor’s degree and then earning his Master’s Degree.
He has motivated children and mature adults in some of the greatest metropolitan cities of the world: Los Angeles, New York, Sao Paulo, Paris, and London. His upbringing facilitated his multiculturalism/ multilingualism which make it easy to relate to diverse audiences. While his native languages are English, and Spanish, David’s has also presented in French, and Portuguese in his international tours. (He also speaks Italian, bringing his language total to five—for now.)
For more information visit: TopYouthSpeakers.com
Martin Madrid
2025 New Mexico Superintendent of the Year
9:15 am - ABC Ballrooms
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Martin Madrid, M.Ed., is a distinguished educational leader with more than 27 years of experience advancing K–12 systems and elevating student achievement across New Mexico. His career is defined by strategic leadership, collaborative governance, and measurable results. In recognition of his impact, he was named the 2025 New Mexico Superintendent of the Year.
As Past President of the New Mexico School Superintendents Association (NMSSA), Martin has championed statewide policy, leadership development, and innovation for superintendents and school leaders. In his role as Superintendent of Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools, he has led a data-driven transformation that resulted in the district achieving 49% reading proficiency, well above the state average, and earning the Spotlight Designation for three district schools. Martin’s influence extends across both state and national leadership platforms. He serves as Vice President of the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) Board of Directors, a member of
the Governing Board of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and a Board Member of Future Focused Education, where he advances career and technical education, workforce alignment, and equitable systems of opportunity for students.
Beyond formal leadership roles, Martin is the founder of Lead the One, a leadership brand and platform dedicated to developing mindset, discipline, and purpose-driven leadership in educators, students, and aspiring leaders. Through speaking, mentorship, and digital content, he challenges individuals to take ownership of their growth and lead by example in both professional and personal arenas.
His leadership philosophy centers on strategic planning, curriculum innovation, and the belief that sustainable system change begins with personal accountability, disciplined mindset, and the daily choice to lead from the front.
Follow his leadership journey and insights on Instagram: @leadtheone
Speaker: Ethan Wright and Shae Devers of New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau
Description:
Agricultural careers sit at the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)—where innovation meets real-world problem solving. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, agriculture must increase food production by 60% to meet future demand. Solving this challenge will require bold thinkers, scientific research, new technology, and creative solutions across every sector of agriculture.
New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) connects educators, students, and communities to the science behind agriculture—building agricultural literacy while inspiring the next generation of professionals to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resources.
Workshop participants will take part in a hands-on, mini version of the popular Pumpkin Smash activity, applying engineering design, data analysis, and critical thinking in a fun, interactive setting. Participants will also gain access to classroom-ready resources and career-connected tools they can use immediately in education and beyond.
This experience is designed to spark curiosity, encourage innovation, and show students how STEM skills can shape the future of agriculture—and the world.
Objectives:
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After this presentation, students will be able to:
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Identify the mission of the New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom Program
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Explain basic agricultural challenges and the need for STEM solutions in ag
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Understand how the Agriculture Literacy Project functions to:
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Cultivate agriculturally literate elementary students
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Provide examples of challenges in Agriculture and the necessity of STEM
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Empower high-school students to teach agriculture literacy project materials to elementary students
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Interest students in pursuing agricultural careers
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Explore NMAITC’s online resources for use in college coursework (if applicable) and lesson planning
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Return to their chapters with a connection to NMAITC that can foster future collaboration in their chapter and school district, if desired
Resources: