Albuquerque Public Schools
Kudos to NM’s 2025 Art Teacher of the Year!
In her weekly message, Superintendent Blakey congratulates Albuquerque High’s Elisabeth Gillett and discusses the importance of fine arts in our schools.
Examples of excellence abound at Albuquerque Public Schools. The White House has honored our science teachers, and the state has recognized our bilingual programs. We have Blue Ribbon and Spotlight schools. And our Budget Office and risk management program have garnered prestigious awards this year.
Today I’m going to introduce you to another APS employee who exemplifies excellence and makes me proud to be the leader of this school district.
Elisabeth Gillett – she goes by Lisa – is the jewelry instructor at Albuquerque High who brings out the best in her students. I spent some time in her classroom on the first day of school back in August and walked away impressed with what she’s doing to engage students. I’m not the only one who has taken notice.
Lisa was selected as the 2025 New Mexico Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association. She and the other state winners were recently recognized at the Association’s national conference in Kentucky.
Originally from Massachusetts, Lisa moved to Albuquerque in 1994 and has been teaching art for 26 years. She’s racked up a host of accolades in that time, including being named High School Art Educator of the year in 2022.
Students at Albuquerque High love “Ms. Gillett.” She’s a staunch advocate for her students and goes out of her way to provide them with hands-on instruction. She teaches them the basics like soldering and metal overlay and helps them bring their vision to life, whether it’s earrings, a pendant or another piece of jewelry.
Anyone who has spent time with Lisa knows how much she cares about her students and her class. That passion was obvious in an interview she did with PBS a while back.
“I see my students, working in jewelry, have this aha moment of like, ‘I can do this’ and it gives them a great deal of confidence.”
Lisa was also instrumental in securing grants from the APS Education Foundation, including one that allowed her to bring in a jeweler to conduct workshops for students. She also pushed for improvements to her classroom to make the space better reflect the work being done there and to bring it closer in line to what students might find in a professional jewelry making setting.
Lisa is a treasure to her students, to APS and to the entire community. I’m grateful for her and for all of our Fine Arts teachers who are working hard to engage our students and build their confidence. The arts had a profound impact on me when I was an APS student, and I’m glad that teachers like Lisa are having that same impact on a new generation of students.
I hope you have a good weekend.