Region V Teacher of the Year: Sharon Cuba

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MEET THE REGION V TEACHER OF THE YEAR

SHARON CUBA
San Antonito STEM Magnet Elementary
Albuquerque Public Schools

Magnet Schools of America is proud to recognize Sharon Cuba, a kindergarten teacher at San Antonito STEM Magnet Elementary in Albuquerque Public Schools, as the Region V Teacher of the Year. With a dual background in elementary and special education, Cuba brings a uniquely comprehensive and compassionate approach to teaching—one that ensures every student is seen, supported, and challenged to succeed. Her work exemplifies the power of magnet education to create inclusive, innovative, and high-impact learning environments from the very earliest years of a child’s academic journey.

Cuba’s classroom is a vibrant example of what happens when strong instructional practice meets creativity and purpose. Grounded in a belief that all children can achieve at high levels, she designs learning experiences that integrate literacy, numeracy, and STEM through hands-on exploration and inquiry. From engineering design challenges to interactive science lessons and real-world problem-solving, her students engage deeply with content in ways that are developmentally appropriate and highly motivating. These efforts lead to remarkable growth—her students more than doubling proficiency rates in both reading and math over the course of a single school year.

Equally important is the inclusive and student-centered culture Cuba cultivates in her classroom. She leverages her expertise in special education and language acquisition to provide differentiated instruction that meets students across a wide range of needs and abilities. Through multiple modes of learning—visual, tactile, collaborative, and technology-supported—students are empowered to demonstrate their understanding in ways that reflect their strengths. Families consistently describe her as a teacher who goes beyond academics, creating a safe and nurturing environment where students feel valued, confident, and inspired to learn.

Cuba’s impact extends beyond her classroom through leadership, collaboration, and strong community partnerships. She regularly leads professional development for colleagues, mentors aspiring educators, and integrates tools like Seesaw to amplify student voice and strengthen home-school connections. Her classroom is a hub of engagement, welcoming families, community members, and partners into the learning process.

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