Teach For America has had an amazing impact on some of New Mexico’s most challenged schools, and has demonstrated and proven its commitment to bringing educational equity to all of our state’s children. The Public Education Department is excited to partner with Teach For America as it lifts up even more of our young people by expanding into new schools and districts. I stand strongly behind the talented, motivated teachers that Teach For America has brought to New Mexico’s schools.![]()
- Dr. Veronica Garcia, New Mexico Secretary of Education
This year, a corps of 76 of the nation’s most promising future leaders are teaching in our area’s lowest-income classrooms as a part of Teach For America • New Mexico. They are working to ensure their students have the educational opportunities they deserve. Our alumni are a leadership force, working from within education and every professional sector to effect broader change. Together they are helping us make educational equity a reality in New Mexico. Learn about living and teaching in New Mexico.
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Executive Director |
Recent press releases
Recent press coverage
During the 2007-08 school year, 75 corps members are directly impacting the lives of more than 6,000 students in New Mexico. Michael Henderson is one example of the tremendous difference our corps members are making.
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Michael Henderson (New Mexico Corps '06) |
Michael began his first year at Washington Elementary with just under 10 percent of his students performing at grade level. By the end of the academic year, Michael had led his students to increase their academic achievement dramatically, averaging over 80 percent on all reading and math standards and almost doubling their reading scores from the initial assessment at the beginning of the year. Michael helped Washington Elementary to become one of just a few schools noted in the local newspaper for their phenomenal academic gains. Michael serves on the school leadership team, where he helps coordinate testing to give the administration valuable insights into the direction of the school, and he was chosen by his peers to head the corps member professional development organization.
New Mexico : Our Impact
on Students and Schools Today
| School Year | Corps Members | Students Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | 66 | 5,610 |
| 2007-08 | 75 | 6,375 |
| 2009-10 | 110* | 9,350* |
*projected |
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Principal Satisfaction
*"Teach For America 2007 National Principal Survey,” Policy Studies Associates, July 2007.
Impact on Student
Achievement
According to a highly regarded study by Mathematica Policy Research, corps members outpaced fully certified and veteran teachers in their schools in moving their students ahead academically. Read national results.
Student Profile
*percentages vary depending on school district
New Mexico : Corps Member Placement
| Assignment | # of Corps Members | % of Corps |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 9 | 12% |
| Science | 12 | 16% |
| Special Education | 15 | 20% |
| Social Studies | 6 | 8% |
| English | 13 | 17% |
| Elementary | 20 | 27% |
| Total | 75 | 100% |
*percentages are rounded and may not add up to 100 percent.
Characteristics of the 2007 Corps
| Corps Profile | Top alma maters by market share* |
|---|---|
| Average GPA: 3.6 | Duke University, Spelman College, University of Chicago: 10% |
| Average SAT: 1321 | University of Notre Dame, Rhodes College: 9% |
| Held leadership
roles on campus: 95% |
Princeton University: 7% |
| People of color: 28% | Georgetown University, Stanford: 6% |
*Percentage of senior classes who applied to Teach For America
Fostering Alumni Leadership for Systemic Change
As the number of corps members grows, so does our alumni base. By 2010, we will have over 250 Teach For America • New Mexico alumni pursuing professional careers and impacting educational reform from every sector.impacting educational reform from every sector.
Sean Ottmer (New Mexico Corps '01) |
Shannon Steffes (New Mexico Corps '02) |
Sean Ottmer and Shannon Steffes are two of the many alumni continuing to work toward our vision in New Mexico. Sean is currently the head of the English department at Miyamura High School and is pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership at Western New Mexico University, working to become a principal. Shannon has been promoted from teaching fifth grade at Rocky View Elementary School to assisting all teachers throughout the district to establish high expectations and effective tracking for their students.
Growing Our Impact: Funding Needs, 2007-2010
Each additional recruit is another dedicated teacher for children growing up in low-income communities in New Mexico, and another talented leader with the insight and commitment
necessary to sustain the reform efforts underway, which is critical to the ongoing vitality of our region.
| Year | Corps Size | Revenue Needs |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | 75 | $1.16 million |
| 2008-09 | 90* | $1.39 million* |
| 2009-10 | 110* | $1.7 million* |
*projected |
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We are grateful to have many supporters who generously contribute to our movement in New Mexico. The foundations, corporations and individuals listed below have made it possible for Teach For America to continue to recruit, select, train, and support teachers who are working to eliminate educational inequity in our city.
To support Teach For America • New Mexico with a gift or to request additional information about our impact or finances, please contact:
Teach For America • New Mexico
Landon Mascareñaz, Executive Director
Katherine Crisler, Office Manager
1206 E. Aztec, Ste. C
Gallup, NM 87301
p 505-863-2887, f 505-863-3794
landon.mascarenaz@teachforamerica.org
katherine.crisler@teachforamerica.org
Landon Mascareņaz became involved with Teach For America as a 2005 corps member teaching first grade in Gallup, New Mexico. During his first year teaching he made significant strides toward strong academic student gains, yet it was during his second year he was fully able to utilize many resources to see upwards of 2 years' growth in writing and reading with his students. He initiated a Student Council at his school which put together a Veteran's Day Breakfast and coordinated with a local businessman to direct funds from the local Balloon Rally into classrooms that needed it. In conjunction with the after-school program, he started a youth debate class with 4th and 5th graders discussing current events and social issues. He graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, with a degree in International Affairs and Honors in Communication.