ALAMOSA — It’s summer and school is out, but Phyllis Vigil can still be found in her classroom.

The first-grade teacher at Sierra Grande in Fort Garland understands the important role she plays in the lives of her students and she’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s ready and they’re ready for a new school year, including spending her summer in preparation.

“Being an educator to me means giving all of your heart,” she says.

It’s that dedication and commitment to her teaching profession that earned her the monthly Educator Highlight Award presented by the Adams State School of Education. She was recognized during a ceremony this week and is the fifth recipient of the honor established by the School of Education.

The Educator Highlight Award was established to recognize and highlight Adams State alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley.

Vigil was also named the Sierra Grande School District Teacher of the Year for the 2022-23 academic year.

“Ms. Vigil has all the attributes of an excellent teacher,” said Sierra Grande Superintendent Kevin Jones. “She loves her kids. She is always looking for ways to improve, she is willing to try new things, her caring relationship matters, and she lives at this school.”

Sierra Grande Schools is where Vigil has been the past 20 years, teaching at the elementary school level and now in her eighth year with first-graders.

“First grade is my favorite. I just like the age of the students and they’re just so eager to learn,” she says. “Whatever you teach them, they absorb it and they run with it. That’s what I love. You can see growth, even sometimes from one week to the next.”

She will be in her classroom at least once a week through June, July and into August ahead of the new school year. She’ll reflect on the previous year and what she can “tweak” to make the classroom even more welcoming to the students who are just beginning their school years.

“I always strive to make my teaching better,” she says.

And that’s why she is one of the San Luis Valley’s outstanding educators.

Adams State School of Education will make monthly award presentations through the summer months.
This monthly award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators.