assessment

How to become a teacher in New Mexico

By Lea Remini 19 September, 2023 2 mins read

You can become a New Mexico teacher right away or switch states to get certified. There is a traditional route and an alternative. You will need a bachelor's degree and experience to earn your certification. There are many options to add endorsements on your license. New Mexico also offers a variety of master's degrees.

To become a New Mexico teacher certified, you must first complete an approved teacher preparation program. You will need to complete a paper application form that includes questions about your character, fitness for teaching, and your college transcripts. You will also need to pay a nonrefundable application fee and submit your fingerprints to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

You will also be required to teach students during your teacher preparation program. This will enable you to demonstrate your teaching skills. At least three hours must be taught per grade level. A background check will also be required.

New Mexico Teacher Assessments were created to assist educators in documenting their teaching skills and knowledge. These assessments include a basic skills assessment and grade-level specific exams. New Mexico also requires that candidates pass knowledge and content tests in addition to these assessments. This is a tiered licensure system that was created by passage of HB212 in 2003.

Once you have completed your teacher preparation program and passed the basic skills assessment, you can apply to become a Level I Provisional Teacher. This license is non-renewable for five years. During your three-year initial period as a teacher in New Mexico, you will need to be assessed on the knowledge and skills of New Mexico's nine Teacher Competencies. If you intend to apply for a Level I or III license, you will have to complete a Professional Development Dossier. The Professional Development Dossier details your teaching experience over the last three years as well as your professional growth. The Professional Development Dossier will also explain how you present your teaching activities. You will need a master's in order to be eligible for a Level III licensing. Two outside reviewers will assess the Professional Development Dossier. The Professional Development Dossier will be reviewed by two external reviewers.

New Mexico offers a number of endorsements including TESOL (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages). A TESOL course of 24 semesters or passing the TESOL exam can add endorsement to your license. Teachers can also add endorsements to their license by passing content knowledge assessments. You can also add the Professional Educator Certification (PEC), to your license. To get this endorsement, you must show proof of a master's and pass the PEC exam.

New Mexico also offers an Alternate Educator Prep Course. This program allows qualified candidates complete their graduate education while being a teacher at a high-need school. The state-approved evaluation system and mentoring system are used in this program. This program requires less coursework that traditional graduate programs.

FAQ

Is becoming a teacher difficult?

A major commitment is required to be a teacher. You will need to give a significant amount time to your studies.

While completing your degree, you can expect to work approximately 40 hours per week.

Also, it is important to find a job you can do. Many students report difficulty finding part-time jobs that work around their school schedules.

You will likely teach classes once you have been hired as a full time teacher. You may be required to travel across the country to teach classes during the week.

Are there any special skills needed for my chosen field?

A good level of written communication is essential if you want to be a lawyer. Nursing requires you to communicate well. A strong understanding of math is necessary to become an accountant. These are just a few of the many examples. Take a look at all the things that you love doing. What job type will you have that allows you to do those things? An engineer is someone who can design structures and machines. In order to excel in this area you will also need to master basic math. A basic understanding of numbers and statistics is necessary to succeed in business. If you want to pursue a career as a teacher, you'll need good communication skills. You will need to have the ability to help others learn and to teach them.

How much time should I spend studying each semester?

The length of your studies will depend on several factors.

Other than these factors, you may need to take certain classes each school year. This means that you won't always be able take the same courses every semester. You can ask your advisor to tell you which courses you need to take each semester.

What is an Alternative School?

An alternative school is designed to give students with learning problems access to education, by supporting them with qualified teachers who understand their unique needs.

Alternative schools provide special education opportunities for children with special needs.

A lot of help is also available for them when they need it.

Alternative schools are not only for those who are excluded from mainstream schools.

They are open for all children, regardless their ability or disability.

How much does homeschooling cost?

Homeschooling comes with no fees. Some families charge between $0-$20 per lesson. Others offer their services free of charge.

But homeschooling is not easy. It requires commitment and dedication. Parents must make time for their children.

They need to have access books, supplies, or other learning materials. Homeschoolers are often required to attend community events and participate in programs that complement their curriculum.

Parents must consider the costs associated with transportation, tutors, and extracurricular activities.

Homeschoolers need to be prepared for special occasions, field trips and vacations.

Statistics

These institutions can vary according to different contexts.[83] (en.wikipedia.org)
Among STEM majors, that number is 83.5 percent. (bostonreview.net)
“Children of homeowners are 116% more likely to graduate from college than children of renters of the same age, race, and income. (habitatbroward.org)
And, within ten years of graduation, 44.1 percent of 1993 humanities graduates had written to public officials, compared to 30.1 percent of STEM majors. (bostonreview.net)
Think of the rhetorical power of nineteenth-century abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Luther King, Jr., or Occupy Wall Street activists with their rallying cry of “we are the 99 percent.” (bostonreview.net)

How To

Why homeschool?

There are several things you should consider when deciding whether your child will attend school at home or in a public school.

What kind of education do your children need? Are you seeking academic excellence? Or social skills development for your child?
What degree of involvement would you prefer to have in your child’s education. Is it better to be kept up-to-date about your child's activities? Or would you rather let him/her make decisions on his/her own?
Are your children special? Is your child a special needs child?
Will you be able to manage your child's schedule? Can you make a commitment to your child's education at home every day of the week?
What topics will you cover? Math, science, language arts, art, music, history, geography, etc. ?
How much money can you afford to educate your child?
Is it possible for your child to start school at an early age?
Where will you house your child? This includes finding space large enough to house your child, as well providing facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens.
What is the age of your child?
When does your child go to bed?
When does he/she finally wake up?
How long does it take for you to get from A to B?
Is your child's primary school close to you?
How far are you from your child’s school?
How will you transport your child to and from school?
What are the benefits of homeschooling?
What are the downsides?
Who will supervise your child when he/she is outside?
What are your expectations for your child?
What discipline type will you use?
What curriculum will your school use?

Homeschooling can be done for many reasons. Some of them are:

Your child has learning difficulties that prevent him/her to attend traditional schools.
You would like to offer your child an alternative educational system.
You want more flexibility with scheduling.
You want to avoid paying high tuition fees.
You believe your child is receiving a better quality of education than he/she could receive in a traditional school environment.
You think you can teach your child better than the teacher in a traditional school setting.
You don't like the way the school system works.
You are not comfortable with the school's regulations.
You want your child's work ethic to be strong.
You want your child to have the freedom of choosing which courses they take.
Your child deserves individual attention.

Another benefit of homeschooling is:

There are no worries about uniforms or books, pencils, papers, or other supplies.
You can personalize your child's education according his/her interest.
Homeschooling allows parents to spend time with their children.
Homeschooled students tend to learn faster because they are not distracted by peers.
Many homeschoolers score higher in standardized tests.
Homeschool families tend be happier overall.
Students who homeschool are less likely than others to drop out of school.