Western New Mexico University — School of Education-Gallup

http://gallup.wnmu.edu/pc/GGSCHome.html

Program Type:

Coverdell Fellows

Department:

School of Education-Gallup

Degrees Awarded:

Complete eligibility for NM Teaching License;, Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education (MAT), Interdisciplinary Studies (MA)

Admissions Deadlines:

Deadline for 2013-2014 cohort: March 31, 2013

Admissions Cycle:

Admit 7-10 Fellows once a year

Program Start:

Late July

Program Founded:

April, 2001

Benefits

Western New Mexico University offers competitive tuition.
Fellows at WNMU-Gallup are required to be full-time teachers in neighboring school districts, where they earn salaries starting at $30,000 a year with full benefits. WNMU-Gallup offers Fellows assistance in networking to find available jobs upon arrival. Some Fellows choose to teach in rural locations on the Navajo Nation with low-cost housing available at school-site teacherages, while others live in Gallup, where apartments and rental housing are available. First year fellows will be supported in their classrooms by university personnel through regular and ongoing observations and conferencing to provide resources, encouragement, constructive feedback, and help make links to classroom theory, in order to make the first year classroom experience successful. Many former Fellows choose to stay in the community after program completion and are also great resources for incoming Fellows. In addition, WNMU Teacher Education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the premier U.S. teacher education accreditation body.

Description

Fellows work in full-time, salaried positions as classroom teachers in rural northwest New Mexico or northeast Arizona while attending Western New Mexico University- Gallup part-time in the evenings and/or on weekends. Most teaching assignments are in schools within or adjacent to the Navajo Nation (e.g. Gallup McKinley County School District, Zuni Public School District, and the Window Rock School District).

Successful applicants need a strong desire to work in a culturally rich, yet under-resourced, challenging rural setting. The area offers diverse cultures, many outdoor recreational opportunities, and natural beauty. The program is designed both for Fellows who do not have an undergraduate education degree and those who already have a teaching license and are seeking a Masters. WNMU-Gallup purposefully blends theory and practice, provides on-site mentoring, and works with Fellows to meet the unique needs of a diverse student population.

Fellows must have at least 30 hours/credits in one content field, usually your undergraduate major. Fellows teach with an internship license while pursuing New Mexico teaching credentials and a master's degree in education. MAT’s available in Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education.   Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies available to those who already have a teaching license. 

The program involves 37-45 hours of graduate course work, usually spread over three years. Participation in community volunteer projects is required as well as participation in the annual WNMU-PCCF International Festivus hosted by Fellows during national Peace Corps Week.

Requirements

Fellows seeking the MAT in Education or the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies must meet university graduate admission requirements. These include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA (last 64 hours). Students with a GPA of 2.99 to 2.75 (last 64 hours) may be granted provisional admission AND are required to take the GRE (minimum of 720 on verbal/math combined and 3 on writing section.). Fellows must also complete the School of Education Teacher Educational Program Admission packet. Fellows must also complete all application procedures for a teaching position with Gallup McKinley County Schools (GMCS), Zuni Public School District (ZPSD), or Window Rock Unified School District (WRUSD). Teaching vacancies are posted on each of the school district's websites. You must successfully complete the appropriate New Mexico or Arizona Teacher Assessment exams by the end of the first year of teaching. Admission preference for the WNMU-Gallup PCCF Program will be given to RPCVs with Peace Corps teaching experience clearly stated on DOS. You do not, however, need to be a licensed teacher.

For inquiries about Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, call 855.855.1961 x1440.