Mandi Torrez named New Mexico’s 2020 Teacher of the Year

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Mandi Torrez, an elementary teacher from Placitas, New Mexico, was named her state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I enjoy sharing stories about educators that have been honored for their work with students. One of these is Mandi Torrez, a third grade teacher at Placitas Elementary in the Bernalillo School District in Placitas, New Mexico. She has been named her state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Mandi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She also attended Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a Master’s degree in Integrated Elementary Education and Special Education. Before she became an educator, Mandi worked as a journalist for eight years. Her career as a teacher has spanned ten years.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Mandi has worked tirelessly to highlight cultural awareness at Placitas Elementary by organizing annual celebrations for National Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and National Black History Month.

This work is so important to the educational development of her students, Mandi believes. “I’ve promoted, in education speak, CLRI, which means Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Instruction,” Mandi remarked. “It’s using kids’ culture in the classroom. For example, many children are uncomfortable raising a hand or shouting an answer,” she explained. “Maybe they need to talk out a problem because they come from a more communal culture, so I might break students into groups and allow them all the chance to discuss. It helps them open up like they might at home,” she continued.

Additionallly, Mandi is a member of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics and the National Education Association. She has served on the Placitas Elementary Leadership Team since 2017. In addition to her recognition as 2019 State Teacher of the Year, she was nominated for the Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017.

To learn more about this amazing chalkboard champion, read this article published by Parents.com.