Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Senators Announce $8.6 Million for Northern N.M. School Districts

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that Questa Independent Schools will receive $8.6 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Land of Enchantment Teacher Quality Partnership.  The grant will fund 50 special education teachers and 50 principals over the next five years in the Chama Valley, Dulce, Cuba, Jemez Mountain, Mesa Vista, Questa, Peñasco and Central Consolidated (Kirtland) school districts.

The $8,680,166 is funded through the U.S. Department of Education and will be used to support traditional teacher preparation programs as well as create teacher residency programs for professionals from other fields entering the teaching profession.

"Quality teachers make all the difference to a child's success.  This grant will support the district's initiative to ensure that every teacher in Questa schools is prepared to help students reach their potential," Bingaman said.

"This funding will support young people pursuing careers in education and will give teachers the ability to explore further opportunities beyond the classroom in school administration," Udall said.  "This recovery funding is creating jobs while ensuring that our students receive a quality education."

The Land of Enchantment Teacher Quality Partnership will use this funding to support a special education teacher residency program, which will recruit recent college graduates who will be paired with a special education mentor in the classroom.  The grant will also allow the schools to develop and implement a school leadership program to prepare candidates for careers as principals and superintendents.  The funding will allow teachers in the districts to take a one year leave from teaching and explore an administrative internship.