- Year 2016
- NSF Noyce Award # 1035465
- First Name David
- Last Name Torres
- Discipline Mathematics
- Co-PI(s)
Joaquin Vila, Northern New Mexico College, joaquin.vila@nnmc.edu
Pedro Chavarria, Northern New Mexico College, pedro.chavarria@nnmc.edu - Presenters
David Torres, Northern New Mexico College, davytorres@nnmc.edu
Need
Northern New Mexico College serves the rural area of Northern New Mexico through its Alternative Licensure Program by certifying teachers to teach in local school districts. Schools districts suffer from poverty, high teacher turn-over rates, low scores on standardized exams and low teacher salaries. STEM teachers are in high need, and the Noyce program helps to recruit new teachers into the field.
Goals
The goal of Northern New Mexico College’s Noyce program is to recruit and support STEM graduates and undergraduates to complete the classes necessary for certification in 7-12 grade teaching. Students are paid $12,000 a year and commit to teaching two years in a high-risk district. The effort involves regular collaboration with the College of Education for advisement and recruitment. Regular Noyce seminars are also offered each semester to support students in their education and initial teaching years.
Approach
The Noyce program at Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) offers regular Noyce seminars to discuss teaching pedagogy, innovations and technology, and challenges in the teaching profession. Our collaboration with the College of Education at NNMC is essential to the project since many of the students have been referred to the project through their efforts. The College of Education also advises students with their course schedules and required state examinations.
Outcomes
Over the history of the grant, twenty-two students have been recruited into the program. All but four students have come to the program with STEM degrees. Fourteen students have begun or finished their teaching in high-risk districts.
Broader Impacts
The broader impact of the Noyce grant is to improve STEM 7-12 education in New Mexico by recruiting talented STEM professions into the field.
