Article by Julie Waechter, special to Adams State
A pilot program that prepared her to teach English in Mexico led to Elisamaria Heredia’s 24-year career in the Alamosa School District as the 3-5 Multilingual Teacher and K-12 Multilingual Coordinator. Based in Alamosa Elementary 3-5, the Adams State University alumna is one of eight finalists out of 1,800 nominated for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year award.
“This is unbelievable,” Heredia said. “I am blessed, honored; it’s a huge responsibility.”
Alamosa Elementary 3-5 Principal Michelle Rubidoux-Wilson ’99, ’10 said, “It is an honor to recognize Elisamaria Heredia for her unwavering commitment to education and her extraordinary ability to meet the needs of all learners, especially our multilingual students. Elisamaria brings both skill and heart to her work, ensuring that every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. She is equally dedicated to her colleagues, always willing to lend a helping hand and share her expertise. Elisamaria exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator, the type of professional every team aspires to have. She is deeply loved and valued by students, families, and staff alike, and her contributions make a lasting difference in our school community.”
Previously an accountant, Heredia first came to Alamosa in 1999 as part of the Migrant Education Program Binational Teacher Exchange. She returned to Mexico, but two years later she met her husband, and her teaching career began as an ESL (English as a Second Language) paraprofessional at Boyd School. She values the support of Laura Heguy ’94, ‘01, ‘06, ‘24 as her mentor, “professionally and in life,” who encouraged her to finish her teaching degree 2001. Heredia topped that off with an M.A. in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education in 2016 and an endorsement in mentoring in 2024.
“If someone wants to become a teacher, I embrace them. As a mentor, I can make connections, because I’ve been on both sides,” Heredia said.
Now, Heredia and her staff of two paraprofessionals work with 103 English Learner (EL) students in grades 3-5. They provide classroom support in English for students who speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese – Mandarin, Navajo, and Q’anjob’al. Heredia also coordinates EL district wide.
An annual highlight of the multi-lingual program is Family Night, Lectura mi Familia, which expanded to include all district schools last year, drawing 700 participants. The Colorado Department of Education designated it as one of its Promising Partnership Practices.
The event includes dinner and brings together such local agencies as the Migrant Education Program of Southwest Colorado, the Alamosa Public Library, Adams State University, Cooking Matters, Promotores del Valle, and Semillas de la Tierra, among others.
Heredia also teaches Math for Elementary Teachers at Adams State University, both online and in person; those students present various academic activities for students and parents at Lectura mi Familia. “Some of these future teachers were my elementary EL students,” she said.
Heredia holds an associate’s degree in theology from the Latin American Bible Institute and will finish her B.A. next year. She is a Certified Licensed Minister at the Monte Vista Assembly of God Church.