Now is a great time to consider being a math teacher in New Mexico: STEM education funding has been on the rise in recent years, more funds are being made available to support and further professional education. teachers are being rewarded for their efforts to increase Advanced Placement class achievements and the New Mexico Council of Teachers of Mathematics provides professional support for math teachers throughout the state.
In short, New Mexico can be a great locatmion to further your career as an educator. Though salaries tend to fluctuate across the state, teachers in Las Cruses earn salaries well above the national average.
Math Teacher Certification in New Mexico
Math Teaching Qualifications
To be eligible for a mathematics teaching certificate in New Mexico, prospective teachers must have a bachelor’s degree, 24 hours of credit (with student teaching) in secondary education OR 30-36 hours in elementary education (for elementary teaching), 3 hours of credit in teaching reading (6 hours for elementary), 24 hours of credit in mathematics (including 12 upper division courses) and passage of the New Mexico Teacher Assessments (Basic Skills, Teacher Competency – Secondary, Content Knowledge Assessment in Mathematics OR National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification).
Credentials & Exams
>New Mexico has a three-tiered licensure system, which allows for increases in base salary with each new tier.
- Level 1 License: The initial certification for candidates who meet New Mexico’s minimum qualifications for teacher certification. Valid for five years.
- Level 2 License:Upon completion of five-years of teaching, candidates are eligible to apply for a Level 2 license.
- Level 3A: After five years of teaching under a Level 2 license and completion of a Master’s degree program, candidates are eligible to apply for a Level 3A license.
Reciprocity: Candidates who have met New Mexico’s minimum requirements in another state or jurisdiction may obtain a New Mexico teaching certificate if, in addition, he or she is able to demonstrate: (1) possession of a valid and standard certificate from another state or country and (2) proof of satisfactory teaching under the out-of-state license.
Alternative Certification for Math Teachers
New Mexico also offers alternative certification , which may be obtained by:
- Graduating with a bachelor’s degree with 30 credit hours in mathematics OR a master’s degree with 12 graduate credit hours in mathematics OR a doctorate in mathematics.
- Passing the NMTA for Basic Skills and Teacher Competency.
- Passing the Content Knowledge Assessment in mathematics.
- Completing an approved alternative program through an accredited New Mexico college or university
Financial Aid for NM Math Teachers
- T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood New Mexico: Scholarship awards for New Mexico pre-K public school teachers.
- New Mexico Teacher Loan Repayment: This program offers loan repayment assistance to qualifying candidates who teach in an eligible (high-risk) school district for a two years upon graduating.
- New Mexico Teacher Loan-for-Service Program: An award of up to $4,000 per year (for up to five years) for financially-needy students accepted to or attending a public college or university in New Mexico to complete or enhance their post-secondary teacher preparation education.
Math Teaching Degrees in New Mexico
Below we've listed all of the New Mexico math teacher education programs in our database. We're constantly scouring the web to find new programs to add, so feel free to check back frequently.
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Fast Facts for New Mexico Math Teachers
Educator Licensing
New Mexico Public Education Department
Jerry Apodaca Education Building300 Don Gaspar Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-827-5800
Common Core
Common Core Standards adopted Nov. 2010; implemented 2013-14. Learn more about math standards for New-mexico here.
Professional Associations
Teacher Shortages in Math
New Mexico reported teacher shortages in mathematics in 2014-15 in the secondary grades.Expenditure per Student: $10,397
New Mexico’s public K-12 expenditures per student in fall 2012-13 enrollment totaled $10,397, or 93.9% of the national average. (Source: NEA)
