Behind every engineer, nurse, welder, entrepreneur, scientist, and community leader is a teacher who helped them believe they could succeed. During Teacher Appreciation Week, NMOGA was proud to recognize several outstanding educators who are helping prepare the next generation of New Mexicans for bright futures.
As part of our Teacher Appreciation Week celebration, NMOGA awarded $500 gift certificates to exceptional educators from communities across New Mexico. While no amount can fully express our gratitude for the dedication, creativity, and care that teachers bring to their classrooms each day, we hope this recognition serves as a reminder that their work matters and is valued.
These educators represent the dedication, passion, and commitment found in classrooms across New Mexico, and we were honored to celebrate their contributions during Teacher Appreciation Week.
2025 Teacher Appreciation Week Award Recipients
- Ethan Secrest — Science Teacher, Piedra Vista High School (Farmington)
- Erik Donald — ACE Leadership High School (Albuquerque)
- Maggie Romero — Science Teacher, Arrowhead Park Early College High School (Las Cruces)
- Megan Long — 3rd Grade Teacher, Jefferson Elementary School (Hobbs)
- Natalie Chacon — Teacher, Paradise Hills Community Preschool (Albuquerque), serving children ages 3 to 5
Each educator received a $500 gift certificate in recognition of their dedication to New Mexico students.
Teachers Are Often the First Career Coaches
Teachers do more than teach academic subjects. They help students discover their strengths, explore their interests, and begin thinking about what comes next after graduation. Whether students pursue college, technical training, military service, or careers in the workforce, educators are often the people who help them see those possibilities for the first time.
That's one reason NMOGA created Pathways to Success, an online platform designed to help teachers, counselors, students, and families learn more about career opportunities available throughout New Mexico. By connecting education to real-world careers, Pathways helps educators have meaningful conversations about the many opportunities available to students right here in New Mexico.
Resources for Teachers and College & Career Readiness Counselors
The Pathways platform provides tools and information that can help educators connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities.
Teachers and counselors can:
- Explore career pathways available throughout New Mexico
- Learn about industries that drive the state's economy
- Discover workforce trends and career opportunities for students
- Access resources that support career exploration and planning
- Connect classroom learning to real-world careers Share information with students and families about opportunities available right here in New Mexico
For educators who regularly help students think about life after graduation, Pathways serves as a valuable resource for career conversations and workforce awareness.
Teachers, counselors, and education professionals who haven't yet joined the platform can sign up here:
Educators who join Pathways will also be eligible for future opportunities, including upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week giveaways.
How Oil & Gas Works for You
Many educators are surprised to learn how closely New Mexico's education system is connected to the success of the state's oil and natural gas industry.
Revenue generated by New Mexico's oil and natural gas industry helps support many of the programs and services that educators, students, and families rely on every day. According to NMOGA's Industry Impact data, the industry contributes approximately:
Supporting Education
- $2.4 billion annually for education
- $1.1 billion supporting the Land Grant Permanent Fund
- $680 million supporting public schools
- $638 million supporting higher education
- $200 million supporting early childhood programs
Supporting Healthcare
- $2.5 billion annually for healthcare services
These investments help support classrooms, school programs, early childhood education, colleges and universities, and essential services that strengthen communities throughout New Mexico.
To learn more about how New Mexico's oil and natural gas industry supports education, healthcare, and communities across the state, visit:
A Shared Commitment to Student Success
The oil and natural gas industry depends on the next generation of skilled workers, innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. Those future leaders are sitting in New Mexico classrooms today.
By helping students understand the opportunities available to them after graduation, educators play a critical role in preparing New Mexico's future workforce. NMOGA is proud to support resources like Pathways that help connect students, families, and educators to information about careers available throughout our state.
When students understand the many pathways available to them, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their futures and pursue careers that align with their interests and goals.
Thank You, New Mexico Educators
To every teacher, counselor, administrator, and education professional across New Mexico: thank you. Thank you for investing your time, energy, and heart into helping students succeed.
Thank you for encouraging curiosity, building confidence, and creating opportunities for young people to discover their potential.
Your work shapes lives, strengthens communities, and helps build a brighter future for New Mexico. We are grateful for all that you do.
We look forward to celebrating even more educators during future Teacher Appreciation Week giveaways. If you haven't already joined Pathways, we encourage you to become part of the growing community of New Mexico educators using the platform to help students explore careers and opportunities across our state.
