September 28, 2026

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Education is pleased to announce that two teachers have been named 2026 Nevada Early Educators of the Year.   

Award recipients are Connie Johnson, a preschool teacher at Clarence A. Piggott Academy of International Studies in Las Vegas (Clark County School District), and Kyleigh Abittan, an early childhood home visitor in Reno (Nevada Early Intervention Services). The recipients were honored on Monday during surprise site visits.

The awards program, now in its sixth year, recognizes the valuable contributions of early educators who work with children from birth through age 5.    

"Early childhood educators are integral to building the strong academic foundations our youngest learners need to achieve lifelong success,” said Dr. Victor Wakefield, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “This recognition elevates the dedication, hard work, and profound impact of these educators who serve as the anchor of both our school system and our communities.”

The Nevada Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning and Development is partnering with The Children’s Cabinet, Nevada Association for the Education of Young Children (NevAEYC), and Lakeshore Learning to recognize the winners and finalists.

The winners each receive a $500 award, a framed certificate, and gifts from Lakeshore.

The finalists are:

• Noel Young, preschool teacher at Don E. Hayden Elementary School (Clark County School District)

• Nicole Poblete, infant/toddler teacher at Sunrise Children’s Foundation (Las Vegas)

• Mireibi Viera Moreira, preschool teacher at Koala Day Care Center (Las Vegas)

Nominations for the award were due in April, and applications were accepted through May. An award committee reviewed the applications in May and conducted interviews in June.

This year, the Office of Early Learning and Development received more than 115 nominations from across the state. Those eligible for nomination include lead teachers of infant, toddler, and pre-K students in both general education and special education programs.

These early learning programs include childcare, licensed family childcare providers, Head Start, Early Head Start, home visitors and early intervention, private school, charter school, district pre-K, and itinerant/inclusion model.

Families, community members, educators, and administrators are encouraged to submit nominations of exemplary early educators throughout the year.

To submit a nomination, please visit the Nevada Educator Recognition Submission Form.

Meet the Winners

·        Connie Johnson, Clarence A. Piggott Academy of International Studies in the Clark County School District (South)

Johnson began her career in early childhood education by teaching at an international school in China. She then came to the Clark County School District as an early childhood inclusion teacher.  

“Teaching in early childhood, for me, is an incredible journey because each day, no matter how challenging, is filled with magic, wonder, curiosity, discovery, and innocence,” Johnson said. “It is where I consistently witness foundations being laid for lifelong learning, early interventions making a difference, 21st Century skills being built, and every child, regardless of ability, is valued.”   

Johnson’s nominators wrote: “From the very beginning, she has created an environment that feels warm, welcoming, and genuinely joyful for her students ... What makes her especially deserving of this recognition is the way she fosters not only student growth, but also a strong sense of community. She has thoughtfully created monthly family engagement days that bring parents and caregivers into the classroom in meaningful ways.”

·       Kyleigh Abittan, Nevada Early Intervention Services in Reno (North)  

Abittan started with early intervention services in September 2017 and stepped away in September 2022 to pursue teaching in a classroom setting as a special education resource teacher and first grade teacher. 

During this time away, she discovered her true passion was not only with families, but specifically in early intervention services. She came back to Nevada Early Intervention Services in January 2024.

“I genuinely enjoy connecting with children, celebrating their progress, and helping them and their families discover what they’re capable of,” Abittan said. “Early intervention continually teaches me patience, positive encouragement, flexibility, and creativity as I support children in diverse environments.”

Abittan’s nominators described her as “an early interventionist who excels at her role” and who “provides high quality, individualized and evidence-based support to families of children with disabilities.”

Attachment

·       Photos of award recipients

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About the Nevada Department of Education

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/ and join us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.