Blog #5

The National Teacher of the Year 2017

This deserving honor was bestowed on Nicole Lasky-Garduno, a high school Biology teacher for the past five years.  Mrs. Garduno, received her Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  “Although, teaching was not in my immediate career plans, I found that my passion was in working with the youth.  I was very involved with the first Youth Alliance Forum for the state of New Mexico under the direction and hard work of our former Lt. Governor Diane Denish.”  The youth in this program came from all areas of New Mexico and walks of life.  “I knew then that with all my experience in college and working with all these young people that I wanted to share my passion and knowledge in Biology.”  Since then, these past five years, her students themselves have made her the teacher that she is today.  So, today she would like to share this great honor with them as they are as deserving as she is.  She has built personal relationships with each of her students in her classes.  Knowing each student personality and what teaching style works for them as the individuals that they are.  “I have to admit that one student can be quite a challenge but have learned from the parent that they have actually seen a change in their son and that he looks forward to coming to class because I make class interesting and creative enough for them to want to be in class.”   So, today she wants to say, “Thank you for this prestigious award and thank you to my students for allowing me to be your teacher and to be the best teacher that I know I am.”