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About New Mexico Transition to Teaching (NMT2T)
If you have your bachelors or higher degree in a field other than education, and have experiences that you believe have prepared you to be an effective teacher, you may earn your NM teaching license by presenting an Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure (OPAL) that demonstrates how a candidate meets the NM competencies for earning their Level 1A teaching licenses. Qualified Alternative Licensure candidates can complete their teaching portfolio while teaching on an intern license.
- Download the NMT2T brochure [PDF]
- Applicant Procedures
- Download Application [Word]
- Support for current NM Transition to Teaching OPAL candidates
The 2008 application process: step-by-step
Step 1: Prior to applying to the NMT2T Program the Candidate must:
- Hold a bachelors degree, or higher, including an acceptable GPA
- Register for the New Mexico Teacher Assessment (NMTA) Basic Skills Tests. You can register online.
- Get started! Make sure you understand all of the important application procedures [Word] relevant to your candidacy and then proceed to the application [Word] for the New Mexico Transition to Teaching Program
Step 2: Once application has been submitted:
- Apply for positions in select "High Need" district/district(s).
- Interview with the district(s) of choice (principal, human resource dept., etc.)
- Secure teaching position that reflects your intern license. You must be a teacher of record, not an Education Assistant or Substitute, for at least 160 days prior to submitting the OPAL.
- Commit to teaching in chosen "High Need" district for a minimum of 3 years
Step 3: Once Fully Accepted to the NMT2T Program the Candidate must:
- Apply for an internship license through the Public Education Department's licensure department, including mandatory background check and fingerprinting processing fee ($34.00) and initial licensure fee ($65). Your request should include a letter that indicates that you intend to earn your license through the alternative licensure portfolio route, and want to apply to the Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure (OPAL) for portfolio review. Contact Jesus Reveles at jesus.reveles@state.nm.us.
- Complete NMT2T program workshops on effective teaching and learning in New Mexico (NM Transition to Teaching will provide funding for these workshops). ). A fee is associated to workshops for those not in the NMT2T Program.
- Complete on-line modules
- Complete required reading course(s) (6 hours for elementary and special education; 3 hours for secondary licensure) through a college or university (NM Transition to Teaching will provide funding for these classes).
- Work with portfolio coach on best practices, skills, and knowledge (NM Transition to Teaching will provide funding for this support).
- Take and pass the relevant NMTA's appropriate Content Knowledge test(s), Basic Skills and the appropriate Teacher Competency Test. Take the Teacher Competency test last, after taking pedagogy workshops., and or IRIS modules. You can register HERE.
- Create Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure (OPAL)
- Submit your portfolio online (OPAL) for a fee of $300 dollars (non-refundable). Once portfolio passes the review, the candidate will be issued a Level 1A teaching license (unless you already hold a Level 2 or Level 3 license of a different type). If candidate misses one or two strands, he/she may resubmit and will have up to one year to do so. There will be a $100 dollar fee for each strand resubmitted. However, the intern license will not be extended for any license, nor it will be extended if the candidate does not pass the OPAL process.
- Teach in a NMT2T "High Need" District for at least 3 years
For additional information or questions you may have concerning New Mexico's Transition To Teaching program, see contact information below:
NMT2T Contact Information
Jemez Mountain Transition to Teaching (National/Regional Grant (JMT2T)
Please Note: Information regarding another T2T Program-Jemez Mountain Transition to Teaching (National/Regional Grant serving New Mexico and Northern Arizona) JMT2T recruits and supports qualified mid-career changers and recent college graduates with degrees in fields other than education, as well as educational paraprofessionals with associate degrees who have been accepted into accredited teacher-training programs.
JMT2T specifically seeks those teacher candidates committed to teaching in "high needs" schools. JMT2T participants will acquire teaching licensure through state-approved program pathways.
For additional information or questions you may have concerning Jemez Mountain Transition to Teaching program see contact information below: