Arizona Educator Valeria Orozco Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

San Luis, AZ (July 21, 2026) — NIET is proud to announce the members of the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows cohort, launching a dynamic one-year program to help selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their school and district. 

Among the distinguished fellows is Valeria Orozco from Sun Valley Elementary School of Somerton School District #11 in San Luis, Arizona.

“I am proud to welcome Valeria Orozco into the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows cohort,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “This fellowship reflects NIET’s commitment to build educator excellence and empower outstanding teacher leaders who are strengthening instruction and accelerating student success. We look forward to working alongside the 2027 fellows this year as they continue to grow their leadership and share their expertise with educators across the country.”

Orozco was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. Orozco has 21 years of experience serving students and supporting educators through instructional leadership and lifelong learning. Currently, she serves as an instructional strategist, coaching teachers, facilitating professional learning, and supporting data-driven instructional practices that improve student achievement. She credits the development of her professional journey to the TAP System, which provided her with the opportunity to grow through its career ladder model, beginning as a career teacher, advancing to Mentor Teacher, and later serving as a Master Teacher.

“I’m honored to have been selected for this program,” Orozco said. “I believe in continuous learning, collaboration, and maintaining high expectations to improve instructional practices and student achievement. As an educator and a leader, I am dedicated to empowering teachers, fostering professional growth, and contributing to the continued success and positive culture of our school community.”

The NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program was created with educator effectiveness in mind, bringing together teacher leaders from partner schools nationwide who demonstrate exceptional implementation of NIET's principles, emphasizing educator excellence and advancing student success. 

“Valeria’s selection to the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program recognizes her unwavering commitment to students, teachers, and instructional excellence,” said Somerton School District #11 Superintendent Omar Duron. “Her leadership and experience as a longtime TAP educator have strengthened professional learning and collaboration throughout our district, and we are excited to see the knowledge she brings back through her time and work as a fellow.”

Throughout the year-long fellowship, fellows will participate in professional development activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, including an introductory boot camp and involvement with NIET events throughout the year, including the 2027 NIET National Conference and the 2027 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will travel regionally to shadow NIET’s Senior Specialists while maintaining their full-time employment status, including salary and benefits, with their respective districts, while being released to participate in program activities throughout the year.

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a national nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For more than 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S. 

Read more about the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program and meet the other 2027 fellows on the NIET website.