LAS CRUCES —New Mexico Workforce Solutions Director Bill McCamley announced the creation of the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway program. The idea of the program is to create a skilled workforce in the education field. State officials along with federal officials talked about efforts for recruiting and mentoring new teachers, which in turn, would expand the number of public educators in the state while lowering the cost of training for educators. The Department of Workforce Solutions plans to collaborate with the Southwest Workforce Development Board, Las Cruces Public Schools, and New Mexico State University to make it happen.
The announcement was made on Friday in the LCPS Central Office boardroom. Among those present, U. S. Representative Xochiti Torres Small, New Mexico State University Provost Carol Parker, LCPS Board President Ed Frank, LCPS Acting Superintendent Steven Sanchez, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Dr. Wendy Miller-Tomlinson, incoming LCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Trujillo, and Teacher of the Year at Mayfield High School, David Morales.
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions discussed how the apprenticeship pathway program will assist education majors at New Mexico State University. The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will help fund the program. Students will also qualify for state and federal funding through a combination of Lottery, Teacher Prep, Affordability Act, Grow Your Own Teachers Act, Pell Grants and other resources.
“We are committed to mentoring our early career teachers and investing in their continuous improvement,” Dr. Trujillo commented.
The New Mexico legislature allocated $10 million to the state’s higher education department for students in public colleges throughout the state training to become teachers. Individuals with a non-education degree seeking an alternative teaching license are included in the target group for assistance to become licensed teachers.
“By leveraging Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act funding, new Las Cruces Public School teachers can rest easier knowing that their tuition will be taken care of when they pursue an alternative licensure program,” U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M., said.
Beyond providing financial support for teachers, the new program will initiate a new teacher mentorship program led by David Morales, a teacher at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces and the 2016 New Mexico teacher of the year.
New Mexico State University provost, Carol Parker announced that the program could potentially support up to 700 new teachers. The goal is to reduce the student loan debt for teachers.
“It is vital that we support our teachers in this state. It is this type of collaboration that will help us move the needle and improve outcomes from prek- 12th system,” Parker said.
Leaders for Las Cruces Public Schools were proud to announce its support to invest in teachers who graduate from New Mexico State University, opening the window of opportunity for a career in education with the district.