Hope Morales, Executive Director of Teach Plus New Mexico | LinkedIn
Hope Morales, Executive Director of Teach Plus New Mexico, addressed educators, policymakers, and industry leaders at the recent Economic Mobility Summit. The event focused on creating new pathways for student success in the state.
Teach Plus is a national nonprofit that works with nearly 900 educators across New Mexico. The organization aims to ensure that teachers' voices influence education policy and practice, particularly in rural, tribal, and urban communities.
The summit was co-sponsored by the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association (NMOGA), CTECH of Hobbs (Center for Technical Excellence), Ocotillo Strategies, and Opportunity Culture. Morales highlighted her personal connection to education: “My background and experience inspired me to work in education and stay in my community. Education has the power to change lives, despite the circumstances that many people grow up with. I’m proof of that.”
During the summit, Morales introduced Teach Plus New Mexico’s upcoming strategic plan aimed at improving economic mobility for students after high school. She explained: “We are getting ready to launch a new strategic plan focused on improving economic mobility for students by ensuring they are successful after high school. Our efforts, including programming and partnerships, will focus more directly on the issues that will support post-secondary success: measuring what matters (like career readiness and skill acquisition), expanding access to excellence (through rigorous programs, innovative schools, and exceptional teachers), and strengthening collaboration between the business and educational sectors across the state.”
Teach Plus has recently organized meetings in places like Hobbs to bring together educators, businesses, and higher education representatives to discuss opportunities for students in southeastern New Mexico. By supporting teachers with training and connections to policymakers, Teach Plus seeks to make sure student needs from all regions shape state education systems.
Morales also spoke about challenges faced by teachers: “It is hard to be a good teacher. All teachers try hard, but not all teachers are effective. The demands have increased over the years — many have to support students beyond academics, often without proper resources or time. Even effective teachers often face burnout.” She continued: “A student who gains confidence is a success. A student who learns responsibility and durable skills is a success. A student who leaves a classroom with a goal for their future is a success. And a teacher’s success should always be tied to their students’.”
The oil and gas industry plays an important role in funding education in New Mexico. It contributes over $5.8 billion annually to the state budget; more than $2.3 billion goes directly toward schools, colleges, and universities—accounting for nearly one-third of classroom funding statewide (https://www.nmoga.org/oil_and_gas_funding_for_new_mexico_schools). Industry revenues also fund thousands of scholarships each year such as the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship and Lottery Scholarship.
Morales described this partnership as essential: “Gone are the days of staying in our own lanes. The oil and gas industry continues to strengthen education by combining workforce preparation, community engagement, and financial investment. By continuing to partner with schools and organizations like Teach Plus, the industry will ensure more students are equipped for postsecondary success while also building a skilled local workforce.”
At the summit’s cross-industry panel discussion Becca Myers from Coterra Energy discussed how her company works with schools on real-world career pathways for students. Morales called for ongoing collaboration: “We need NMOGA and partners to continue showing up and engage as active partners. We need your expertise, ideas, and commitment to help improve cross-sector collaboration. Teach Plus NM is also ready to work across sectors, bringing in the invaluable voice of great teachers, learning from industry leaders, and helping connect the needs and opportunities for students and partners.”
Morales expressed optimism about future progress: “We have examples of greatness all over our state — from individual student stories to schoolwide success and promising programs. Now it is our job to learn about these successes in order to replicate what we know works.” She added that every student deserves access to excellent teaching staff along with challenging coursework leading both toward college enrollment or entry into careers.
The summit concluded with agreement among participants that stronger partnerships between educators industries—and communities—are necessary moving forward so that opportunity can be expanded throughout New Mexico’s talent pipeline.
