Op Eds
OPINION: State’s teacher leadership programs are too valuable to lose
New Mexico
•Aug. 19, 2024Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship
Elevating Educator Voice in Education Policy
Outstanding teachers understand the challenges and opportunities facing students better than anyone. The Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship empowers educators to elevate their voices and help shape the policies that impact their classrooms and communities.
In 2026, Teach Plus New Mexico launched a new strategic plan aimed at supporting economic mobility for New Mexico students focused on four drivers of student success: stronger data and accountability systems, greater access to high-quality schools, investment in educators and local leaders, and expanded pathways to careers that lead to livable wages.
This year’s Policy Fellows will work directly on the priorities at the heart of Teach Plus New Mexico’s strategic plan — ensuring every student has a path to economic mobility. Working in small groups, fellows will research, develop policy recommendations, and advocate for solutions in three areas essential to that goal: building the early childhood educator workforce, expanding access to careers that lead to livable wages, and ensuring every student can reach a high-quality school.
Through the fellowship, participants will continue working directly with students while expanding their impact at the school, district, and state levels.
Applications open March 27, 2026 and close May 1, 2026.
What is the Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship?
The Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship is a 10-month leadership program (July 2026 – April 2027) designed for educators who want to develop their leadership and contribute to policy conversations shaping education in New Mexico.
Fellows collaborate with other educators, policy experts, and state leaders to examine key education challenges and develop policy recommendations that support students and educators across the state.
Through monthly sessions and collaborative working groups, fellows will:
- Learn how education policy is developed in New Mexico
- Engage with policymakers and education leaders
- Conduct research on critical education issues related to early childhood workforce, behavioral health student pathways, and equitable funding for charter schools
- Develop policy recommendations
- Advocate for solutions that expand opportunity and economic mobility for students
- Develop skills and build relationships to support advocacy on additional educational topics
No prior policy experience is required.
Fellowship Experience
Policy Fellows continue teaching while participating in the fellowship experience, which includes:
- Monthly virtual evening sessions (August–April) with policy experts and education leaders
- Collaborative working groups focused on key education issues
- Supported research and policy development projects
- Opportunities to engage with legislators and policymakers
- Training in advocacy, policy analysis, public speaking, and writing
- Leadership Coaching Sessions for personalized leadership development support
Fellows will spend approximately 6–8 hours per month participating in fellowship activities.
Fellows receive a $1,500-$2,000 stipend for their participation. Please note: Teach Plus NM will cover costs associated with lodging and meals for Teach Plus events and approved additional opportunities.
Fellowship Kickoff
The fellowship begins with a required in-person kickoff in Albuquerque on July 10–11, 2026. During kickoff, fellows will meet their cohort, begin policy training, and launch their working group research.
2026-2027 Fellowship Working Groups
During the fellowship, educators will collaborate in working groups focused on developing policy recommendations in key areas impacting New Mexico students and schools.
With support from Teach Plus staff and partners, each working group will conduct research, engage with stakeholders, and develop policy recommendations to share with education leaders and policymakers.
Starting Strong: Building the Early Childhood Workforce New Mexico Needs
New Mexico has made historic investments in early childhood education, including expanded access to Pre-K and childcare programs. However, many communities continue to face shortages of qualified early childhood educators.
This working group will examine the barriers preventing schools and early learning programs from recruiting and retaining a strong Pre-K–3 educator workforce, particularly in high-need communities.
Fellows will explore educator preparation pathways, workforce trends, and retention strategies and develop policy recommendations that help strengthen the early childhood educator pipeline.
Focus areas may include:
- Early childhood educator preparation programs
- Teacher pipeline development
- Workforce retention strategies
- Alignment between state investments and educator workforce capacity
Careers That Pay: Designing Educator Roles for CTE and Dual Credit Success
New Mexico is working to expand access to high-quality college and career pathways, yet many students—especially in rural and underserved communities—lack access to programs that lead to postsecondary credentials and livable-wage careers.
This working group will explore how schools can strengthen Career and Technical Education (CTE) and dual credit pathways by defining and supporting the key educator and leadership roles needed to design, implement, and sustain these programs.
Fellows will research how roles such as CTE instructors, dual credit instructors, and pathway coordinators impact program quality, access, and scalability across the state.
Focus areas may include:
- CTE and dual credit role design and staffing structures
- Certification, credentialing, and workforce barriers
- Compensation and sustainability of key roles
- Partnerships between K–12, higher education, and workforce systems
Open Doors: Closing the Funding and Transportation Gaps That Keep Students from Strong Charter Schools
Charter schools in New Mexico often face significant funding inequities related to facilities and transportation, which can affect students’ access to high-quality learning environments.
This working group will examine how funding structures impact charter schools and identify policy solutions that ensure equitable access to facilities and transportation resources.
Fellows will engage with educators, school leaders, and policymakers to better understand how these funding gaps affect students and communities.
Focus areas may include:
- Facilities funding equity
- Transportation access for students
- State funding structures affecting charter schools
- Policy solutions that improve school access and stability
Educator Voice Matters
Teachers bring essential perspectives to policy conversations. Through the Teach Plus Policy Fellowship, educators have:
- Published op-eds in major publications
- Been featured in Media Engagements
- Testified before legislative committees
- Met directly with state policymakers and education leaders
- Helped shape conversations about education policy in New Mexico
“I found my teacher voice through the Teach Plus fellowship and realized that educators belong in policy conversations.”
— Teach Plus NM Policy Fellow
Qualifications
Teach Plus seeks a diverse cohort of educators who reflect the cultural, geographic, and professional diversity of New Mexico schools. No policy experience required.
Applicants should:
- Be a current teacher of record or educator working directly with students in a New Mexico public school (district or charter)
- Have at least three years of teaching experience by August 2026
- Plan to remain in a role working directly with students during the 2026–2027 school year
- Be interested in learning about and working on one of the topics outlined above
- Be committed to thinking outside the walls of a classroom in an effort to focus on system level change
- Be willing to collaborate with other educators to develop policy recommendations
- Be willing to try something new and expect to participate in advocacy related activities
Teach Plus strongly encourages applications from educators representing diverse communities, grade levels, and school contexts across New Mexico.
Application Process
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Part 1- Written Application
Applicants submit a written application including short responses about their teaching experience, leadership, and perspectives on education issues. Applications close May 1, 2026.
Part 2- Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a 30-minute virtual interview between March 30-May 4, 2026.
Part 3- Group Interview
Finalists will participate in a virtual group interview with options of participation on either May 19 or 27, 2026.
Final fellowship decisions will be announced by June 2, 2026.
Interested in joining?
Start your application below to join the Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship
Know a teacher leader?
Nominate a teacher who wants to achieve change in their schools and in the broader education system.
Questions?
For more information about the fellowship, please contact:
Eli Casaus
Manager, Policy & Programs
Teach Plus New Mexico
ecasaus@teachplus.org
Meet our Teacher Leaders
Get to know the Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellowship teachers.
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