May 3, 2022 — On March 1, 2022, New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed several pieces of historic legislation that lend support to the teacher workforce, and more specifically, teacher residencies. With unanimous support, this legislation raises the minimum teacher salary by $10,000 and includes support for teacher retirement funds, with the intent to address drastic teacher shortages. In addition, HB13 has provided massive support for teacher residencies, helping to raise the minimum stipend for residents to $35,000 and secure funding for stipends for mentors and training site principals as well as residency staff. In addition, the funds for teacher residencies ensure that the residency is operated with quality, for instance, by ensuring that residents are observed once per month.
“I think we should name 2022 the ‘Year of the Teacher.’ Our educators have been going above and beyond for a long time, and in the last two years, they have truly demonstrated what it means to be dedicated to this noble profession,” said New Mexico Sen. Mimi Stewart.
These legislative efforts signal major advances to the teacher residency movement in order to attract, prepare, and retain teachers in New Mexico schools. Moreover, the Thornburg Foundation funded NCTR to develop an external evaluation of the Albuquerque Teacher Residency Partnership (ATRP) to show its impact and be able to advocate for continued support of the teacher residency movement.