High School & College Students can Apply to Teacher Preparation Program through May 27, 2022

New Mexico - The Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching, a leading nonprofit committed to preparing, supporting, and mentoring aspiring teachers, extends its deadline for accepting applications for the Golden Apple Scholars program through May 27, 2022. Scholars will receive extensive classroom teaching experience, instruction from award-winning New Mexico educators, job placement assistance upon graduation from college, a stipend, and mentoring throughout their journey. The Scholars Program creates a new pipeline of highly effective teachers to help address the educator shortage crisis in New Mexico.

"Over the 30-year history of our Scholars program, we have helped 2,000 students become teachers," said Alan Mather, President of Golden Apple. "We're excited to bring our program to New Mexico. Communities and school districts here have a deep wealth of talent and ambition. By recruiting Scholars from within their communities — whether they are urban, suburban, or rural — and then having them return to those communities to teach, we can make a material difference in the state's teacher shortage."

"We succeed when our students have access to the best teachers in the region and so we are excited to support the design and implementation of both the Golden Apple Scholars Program and Golden Apple Accelerators Program in New Mexico, said Mayra Lovas, Senior Program Officer at the JF Maddox Foundation. "Our support will help recruit, prepare, and place teachers in Lea County and the broader Southeast New Mexico region."

New Mexico residents who are high school seniors, freshmen or sophomores in college, or enrolled in community college are eligible to apply now at www.goldenapple.org/scholars-new-mexico.