New Mexico

New Mexico is the “Land of Enchantment”: the diverse history and geography of this state can be found nowhere else. The northwest corner of New Mexico and the surrounding Four Corners region feature famed natural formations such as Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon, the Bisti Wilderness, and the Grand Canyon. The rich culture of New Mexico reflects the influence of Native American heritage that dates back 4,000 years, as well as Spanish, Mexican, and European historical settlements. Our towns in New Mexico are known for their central role in the historical development of southwestern culture, art and tradition. The grand and varied landscape provides many opportunities for recreation and personal enjoyment.

Quick Stats
Site Since: 2001
Corps Size: 96
Average summer temperature: 88 ° Average winter temperature: 40 °
Access to a car: Access to a car is essential
Beginning teacher's salary : $30,000-35,000

Life

Corps members live and teach in the northwestern corner of the state—including the city of Gallup, the Navajo Nation, and several Native American Pueblos, as well as the Acoma, Laguna and Zuni Pueblo, the largest of the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico. These locations cover over 12,000 square miles, five school districts and three counties. Whether in Gallup, on the reservation or in a pueblo, they find support through their fellow corps members, community, veteran teachers and alumni.

Gallup

Gallup (population 20,000) is a border town on the edge of the Navajo and Zuni Nations. Corps members who teach in Gallup live in town, in either houses or apartments, in the neighborhoods of their students and families. The city’s diverse population includes a mixture of many ethnicities, including Native American and Latino/Hispanic residents. With numerous restaurants, shopping centers, supermarkets, and movie theaters set against the natural landscape, Gallup is a wonderful place to live and a popular destination for members of the neighboring Nations. Currently, 47 percent of corps members live in Gallup.

Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo

Corps members who teach in the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo live within the boundaries of these sovereign nations in “teacherages,” which are school or district-managed homes provided to faculty and staff at each respective school. Teacherages make it possible for non-Native teachers to both teach and live in their school communities. Corps members who teach on the reservations live in remote areas that are often a 35-90 minute drive to the stores, restaurants, and other amenities of Gallup or Farmington. Currently, 53 percent of corps members teach in schools on the Navajo Nation or Zuni Pueblo.

Grants-Cibola County

Located half-way between Gallup and Albuquerque, Grants is a bustling western town set against the backdrop of Mt. Taylor. Known for its proximity to Bluewater Lake, El Malpais Wilderness, Cibola National Forest and volcanic caverns, Grants offers a truly wide array of outdoor activities mixed with small town atmosphere. Corps members who live in Grants teach both in Grants and at schools serving the Acoma and Laguna Pueblos.

Because Teach For America works to place corps members in the schools where they are needed most, and where they qualify to teach, New Mexico corps members should be willing to teach either in Gallup, Grants or on the reservation. Corps members should look forward to the diverse opportunities of placement in New Mexico and interacting with a variety of unique cultures. Owning a reliable car is a must for all corps members.

Corps Culture

Despite the rural nature of the region and the geographic distance between school communities, New Mexico corps members are a close-knit group who rally to support one another as colleagues, teachers, and friends. Corps members repeatedly demonstrate their desire to learn more about Acoma, Laguna, Navajo, Zuni, and Latino/Hispanic cultures, student achievement issues, and relationship building in their communities.

Corps members teaching in New Mexico have created and implemented a Corps Community Association, a professional learning community and leadership pipeline run by corps members, addressing their concerns and development. This association brings corps members into the program framework of our organization by coordinating professional educator development, planning regional conferences, developing media contacts and building strong community relationships. Within this structure, corps members demonstrate leadership and organization that positively impact classrooms across our region. This organization, as well as courses at local universities and ongoing staff support, helps corps members continually develop as educators. Classes, learning teams and social gatherings rotate between all locations, giving all corps members a chance to visit the many communities we serve.

Corps members often form close bonds with the many alumni who continue to teach in New Mexico. Over 67 percent of corps members return for a third year and remain active members of the Teach For America community.