Congrats to the 2026 CISD Teachers of the Year

Dear Canutillo Community,

Last week, members of the Canutillo ISD Board of Trustees had the privilege of attending one of the most meaningful celebrations of the school year: the Canutillo ISD Teacher and Employee of the Year Gala.

Hosted at Reyes Elementary School, the event transformed the campus cafeteria into a beautiful jazz-themed ballroom where educators, support staff, families and community members gathered to celebrate excellence in public education. It was an incredible evening filled with pride, gratitude and appreciation for the people who make Canutillo ISD special.

I was elated to attend alongside several of my fellow trustees and district leaders. Events like this remind us why public education matters and why the work happening in our schools every day deserves recognition.

What made the celebration even more meaningful was the fact that it was made possible entirely through the generosity of our business partners and sponsors. Not a single taxpayer dollar was spent on the event. Through the support of community partners who believe in our schools and employees, we were able to honor our staff in a way that felt elevated, memorable and truly deserving of their contributions.

On behalf of the Canutillo ISD Board of Trustees, I want to congratulate our 2025 Elementary Teacher of the Year, Dr. Nancy Torres from Damian Elementary School, and our 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year, Karly Dreher from Canutillo Middle School.

These outstanding educators represent the very best of Canutillo ISD. Both teach physical education and have found innovative ways to combine physical wellness with strong instructional practices that help students grow academically and personally. Their passion for students, creativity in the classroom and commitment to education make them exceptional representatives for our district.

I am confident both educators will do an outstanding job representing Canutillo ISD at the Region 19 Teacher of the Year competition. We are proud to support them as they continue showcasing the excellence that exists throughout our schools.

I also want to extend heartfelt congratulations to Sonia Cisneros from Canutillo High School, who was named the district’s Employee of the Year.

As a parent liaison, Ms. Cisneros plays a vital role in connecting families with schools and ensuring parents remain informed and engaged in their children’s education. She consistently goes above and beyond in serving our community with compassion, professionalism and care. Her work reflects the importance of building strong relationships between schools and families, and Canutillo ISD is fortunate to have someone so dedicated serving our students and parents.

One of the most rewarding parts of the evening was having the opportunity to interact not only with the winners, but with all of the Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year finalists, along with their coworkers, friends and families. Every finalist represented a story of dedication, sacrifice and service to students.

The gala served as a powerful reminder that Canutillo ISD is filled with talented and caring professionals who work tirelessly on behalf of children every day. From classrooms and cafeterias to front offices and campuses across the district, our employees continue making a difference in the lives of students and families.

The future of Canutillo ISD is bright because it is being shaped by extraordinary people. On behalf of the board, thank you to every employee who helps move our district forward and congratulations again to all of this year’s honorees.

Sincerely,
Sergio Martinez
Board President
Canutillo Independent School District