Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education announced today that Linda Alvarez, of Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro, is the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Linda will officially begin her role on January 1, 2026.
Also recognized as 2026 Distinguished Finalists are Jason Raymond from Burlington Technical Center and Erin Randall from South Burlington High School.
Linda has been a Business and Entrepreneurship teacher at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro for 4 years and is the first Career Technical Education (CTE) educator to receive this award in Vermont.
“I am thrilled to recognize Linda as Vermont’s Teacher of the Year,” said Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. “Linda’s commitment to equity, innovation, and excellence prepares students not only for careers and college, but for meaningful lives beyond the classroom. We are honored to recognize her contributions to teaching in Vermont.”
At the Windham Regional Career Center, Linda’s students don’t just study business; they live it. Her signature project, the year-long Food Truck Plan, guides students through the process of designing business ventures, building models, crafting marketing campaigns, and presenting to community leaders. This hands-on, real-world experience builds both technical skills and lasting confidence.
Linda’s classroom is intentionally inclusive. First-generation college students, multilingual learners, and neurodiverse students thrive under her guidance. Students leave her programs empowered; many go on to earn college scholarships or enter directly into high-demand careers.
“In every way, Linda is the kind of teacher our students deserve,” said Windham Regional Career Center Director Nancy Wiese. “She is a visionary who equips them not only with skills but also with confidence and purpose to shape the future.”
Beyond the classroom, Linda serves as a Future Business Leaders of America advisor, a member of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Special Education Parent Advisory Council, and an adjunct professor at Vermont State University, Community College of Vermont.
Linda holds an MBA in Management, Marketing, and Communications from Fitchburg State University, a BA in History with a minor in Education from the University of Florida and is currently completing a Harvard Certificate in School Management and Leadership. She holds certifications in CTE Business, History (6-12), and Reading and Language Arts (K–12).
“Linda is an exceptional teacher who routinely inspires her students and colleagues at the WRCC. VT TOY is an acknowledgment that is well deserved,” said Mark Speno, Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Superintendent.
As the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year, Linda will serve as an advocate for students, educators, and the transformative power of Career and Technical Education. She joins a long tradition of educators who elevate the profession and inspire excellence across the state.
About the Teacher of the Year Program
Since 1964, the Agency of Education has recognized outstanding Vermont teachers through the Vermont Teacher of the Year award. As the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year, Linda will serve as an advocate for the teaching profession, education, and students. Linda will represent Vermont next spring for the National Teacher of the Year program, which includes events in Washington, D.C.
Linda will also be recognized at the University of Vermont’s Outstanding Teacher Day, which will be held in November. For 40 years, UVM has annually recognized outstanding teachers throughout the state. The event honors educators from each supervisory union or school district, who are invited to nominate one teacher at the elementary or middle school level, one at the secondary level, and one at the technical center level.
About the Vermont Agency of Education
The Agency of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure all Vermont learners have equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. The Agency accomplishes this mission through the provision of its leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.
Connect with the Vermont Agency of Education education.vermont.gov.
Brattleboro, Vt.- The Vermont Agency of Education
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