Education digest - Oct. 14

PED offering scholarships

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department for the first time is offering scholarships to help public school educators offset the costs of National Board Certification.

The New Mexico Legislature appropriated $500,000 for 2021 scholarships to cover the cost of applying for the advanced teacher credential.

Acquiring certification includes four components, each carrying $475 in fees, along with a $75 registration fee.

“When a New Mexico teacher earns this distinguished credential, our children, our communities and our state benefit,” PED Secretary Ryan Stewart said. “Becoming a National Board Certified teacher is a huge amount of work. We can’t do that work for them, but we can and we are eliminating the burden of cost.”

The certification can move teachers to a Level 3 licensure without completion of a dossier or master’s degree, and they receive a salary differential of about $6,800.

Scholarship applications, available on the PED website, are due by Jan. 15. Applicants must be New Mexico residents teaching in a New Mexico public school or public charter school, hold a valid Level 2 or higher New Mexico teaching license and submit a letter from their school principal along with the application.

Governor seeks applications

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office announced it is soliciting applications for two positions on the board of regents for the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Applicants for the positions must be registered voters in New Mexico. Appointees to boards of regents must be confirmed by the New Mexico state Senate.

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m. Oct. 20.

Applicants are asked to send a resume, letter of interest, and letters of recommendation to Melissa Salazar, director of Boards and Commissions, at [email protected].

Education Digest is compiled by the staff of The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact Kevin Wilson at 575-763-6991, or by e-mail:

[email protected]