On Aug. 17, The New Mexico Public Education Department announced that the Educator Fellows Program has grown to roughly 500 participants this year compared to 380 last year, according to a press release. Managed by the Public Education Department, the Educator Fellows NM initiative offers support to both students and educators in order to reduce class sizes and cultivate future educators.

“NM Ed Fellows is such an important program because it can empower communities,” said Bobbie Shack, an Ed Fellows coach since spring 2022, according to the press release. “Many of the Ed Fellows participating in our program are working in school districts within their own communities. How powerful that is for students to see their own community members in front of classrooms and leading lessons! Our fellows send the message to their students that they, our fellows, are working to become teachers.” 

Under the program, Fellows receive compensation similar to educational assistant salaries, comprehensive health benefits and paid leave to engage in up to 12 hours of college coursework weekly, per the press release. Participants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and also be pursuing a licensure-qualifying degree. 

Fellows are deployed across diverse urban and rural settings, spanning both large and small schools throughout New Mexico. Fellows offer targeted small-group or one-on-one intervention, tutoring and some have even started clubs for STEM subjects and books. 

“As coaches, we connect with our fellows and provide the encore round of applause, that virtual fist bump, to show them that we know they’re doing their best and that we’re all so incredibly proud of them as a collective group of coaches,” Shack said, according to the press release.

Funding for the Educator Fellows Program was initially provided via the American Rescue Plan Act, but support for the program can continue through legislative support and funding.