Becoming a Substitute Teacher in New Mexico, NM
New Mexico, with 323,000 public students and 828 public schools, ranks 36th in national population. Following the current national trend of educational expansion, a product of recent economic upturn, New Mexico has continued expanding its educational system. This has brought demand for teachers and substitute teachers alike, making now an opportune time to look into the educational field. It is important to understand the need for a flexible schedule when substitute teaching as you may be needed on short notice. Many full-time salaried teachers started as subs and greatly appreciate the experience as it allows you to get a feel for the teaching industry without fully committing to a 4 year degree. New Mexico is one of the many states that does not require a Bachelors Degree to become a sub, making it an ideal job for prospective teachers or those looking to make extra money on the side. Many subs also enjoy the flexible work schedule as it allows them to pursue other ventures on the side, often times finishing up their Bachelors Degree or working part-time on the side.
- Education: Path to Become a Teacher
- Schools for Teaching in New Mexico
- Teacher Credential and Certification Information
- School Teacher Requirements in New Mexico
Required Training, Qualifications, and Education
A Bachelors Degree is not required to become a substitute teacher in New Mexico, however you will need to go in for state fingerprinting and state and federal background checks. Some districts may have other requirements so make sure to check before applying.
Licensure and Certification
The following situations are required for a substitute teacher license (valid for 3 years)–
- Submit the Substitute Application through a local school system
- Include any official transcripts, references, or other relevant material
- Include required Application fee/s
- Meet any additional state requirements
Career Expectations For Substitutes in New Mexico
New Mexico does not require you to have a Bachelors Degree in order to substitute teach, which makes it a perfect job for those who are still in school or have a part time job on the side. In order to teach K-8 you must be 18 years old, and 21 years old to teach 9-12. Economic upturn has allowed for more teachers to be hired, along with the fact that there is growing state and national populations means teachers are not only in demand presently, but will continue to be for quite some time. The educational system has proven to be a relatively stable market, fairing well through the recesion. Because of the flexible schedule, subs find themselves with extra time on their hands to do as they please, which is a nice bonus to the job. Whether you want to ultimately be a full time salaried teacher or not, subbing looks great on any resume as it shows you not only have the capability to teach others, but the patience to deal with people who may not understand concepts right away.
Salary Expectation
Currently, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in New Mexico is approximately $26,000 a year (according to bls.gov) which is about 10% lower then the national average. Important to keep in mind is the fact that this average can be skewed greatly as final pay is determined by district, experience, and education. Additional income can be gained through other part time work when you are not substitute teaching.