BECOMING A TEACHER.... THE NEXT STEPS
Are you considering becoming a teacher in New Mexico? Read on!
Are you considering becoming a teacher in New Mexico? Read on!
Step 1: No college degree yet? Are you a graduating high school student? did you take a break after graduation? Start HERE!
One way to earn a teaching license is to complete a bachelor’s degree in an approved teacher preparation program (TPP). The first step is to apply to the university and declare a major. Each NM university & their Colleges of Education have a wide array of exciting Undergraduate teaching programs. Consider whether you are interested in:
4 YEAR PROGRAMS:
2 YEAR PROGRAMS:
Start & complete your first 2 years at CNM & transfer to any NM university to complete your degree!
NEW MEXICO RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & FREE TUITION:
$$$$ - EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUTGOING SENIORS:
Step 2: Do You Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher but no teacher preparation? Consider ALTERNATIVE LICENSURE. Start HERE!
More information about New Mexico Alternative Licensure opportunities are available on the NM Public Education Department (PED) page.
Step 3: Are you licensed in another state & moving here? Start HERE!
If you have a teaching license from another state or another country, you can teach apply for a NM teaching license under reciprocity and teach now. More information about NM’s 3-Tiered Licensure system is available at on NM Public Education Department (PED) Licensure page.
Step 4: Do I have to take tests to become a teacher?
Yes - In order to become a licensed educator in New Mexico, you must meet the required PRAXIS (ETS) test scores for your licensure & degree program. Read more HERE.
One way to earn a teaching license is to complete a bachelor’s degree in an approved teacher preparation program (TPP). The first step is to apply to the university and declare a major. Each NM university & their Colleges of Education have a wide array of exciting Undergraduate teaching programs. Consider whether you are interested in:
- early childhood education (birth -age 8),
- elementary education (K-6),
- secondary education (grades 7-12)
- special education (K-12)
- bilingual education (an endorsement)
4 YEAR PROGRAMS:
- University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Education, Albuquerque, NM
- New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Education, Las Cruces, NM
- Western New Mexico University (WNMU) College of Education, Silver City, NM
- Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) College of Education, Portales, NM
- New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) College of Education, Las Vegas, NM
2 YEAR PROGRAMS:
Start & complete your first 2 years at CNM & transfer to any NM university to complete your degree!
- Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), Albuquerque, NM
NEW MEXICO RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & FREE TUITION:
- NM Legislative Lottery Scholarship - read more HERE!
- NEW! FREE tuition with the Opportunity Scholarship for New Mexico Residents - read more HERE!
$$$$ - EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUTGOING SENIORS:
- $200-500: Eldorado High School CTE Scholarship: This is given to a student who has completed at least 2 consecutive years in a CTE pathway at EHS.
- $500-1000: Diane Gillen Future Educator Scholarship: The Diane Gillen Future Educator Award will be available for graduating students at all APS traditional high schools. The scholarship will be given each year to a student who has the intent to move on to an education beyond high school at a four-year college or University, with a focus on a career in education.The scholarship(s) will be selected in March/April and awarded prior to graduation, and at the high school and honors assembly.
- $500/semester: Dual Language Education of New Mexico - Janet Montoya Schoeppner Memorial Scholarship Application
- $1000 to 4 students: Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque: Providing assistance to graduating students with strong community service experience and strong academic records from an Albuquerque metro area high school, (includes Bernalillo, Sandoval Valencia and Torrance Counties) who are planning a career in child development and/or teaching.
- $3,000 ($1,000 over 3 years, 2 awards): NM Coalition of Educational Leaders (NMCEL) Scholarship: Seniors only. 3.0 min. GPA, preference given to students considering a major in education (including teaching, Counseling) Requires application form, essay and 2 letters of reference.
- $500-4,000: Educators Rising / PDK Scholarships: Every year, the PDK Educational Foundation awards about 100 scholarships across all membership types. One-time and renewable awards range from $500 to $4,000. Our application is designed to capture any specific eligibility criteria designated by the donor(s) and you will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.
- $1000: Zippia Teacher Dream Job Scholarship: Send your essay in the body of the email (no attachments) to scholarship@zippia.com with the subject line: "My Teacher Dream Job Scholarship Contest Entry".
- Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship: The Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship encourages eligible New Mexico students to attend and complete an accredited public education department approved teacher preparation program at CNM. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and other educational related expenses for students who are enrolled at least half-time in a teacher preparation program. This scholarship is awarded in Fall and Spring terms only.
- Grow Your Own Teachers Scholarship: The Grow Your Own Teachers Scholarship (GYOT) encourages educational assistants (EA) employed at a public school for at least 2 years, to enroll and be accepted into an accredited public education department approved teacher preparation program at CNM. The Grow Your Own Teachers Scholarship covers tuition, fees, and other educational related expenses based on enrollment.
- up to $4000/year: TEACH Grant. This provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing, or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. Students must be enrolled as an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program. To receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay in which you agree to --
- Serve as a full-time highly-qualified teacher for four elementary or secondary school years at a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students;
- Teach in a high-need field; and
- Complete the required four years of teaching within eight years after you graduate from or otherwise cease to be enrolled at the institution of higher education where you received your TEACH Grants.
Step 2: Do You Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher but no teacher preparation? Consider ALTERNATIVE LICENSURE. Start HERE!
More information about New Mexico Alternative Licensure opportunities are available on the NM Public Education Department (PED) page.
Step 3: Are you licensed in another state & moving here? Start HERE!
If you have a teaching license from another state or another country, you can teach apply for a NM teaching license under reciprocity and teach now. More information about NM’s 3-Tiered Licensure system is available at on NM Public Education Department (PED) Licensure page.
Step 4: Do I have to take tests to become a teacher?
Yes - In order to become a licensed educator in New Mexico, you must meet the required PRAXIS (ETS) test scores for your licensure & degree program. Read more HERE.
Photo used under Creative Commons from marsupium photography