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Golden Apple launches new pathway to help veterans become teachers in New Mexico

Golden Apple Foundation has launched Veterans into Teaching, a new pathway designed to help veterans transition into teaching careers, including through its New Mexico Scholars program.

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Golden Apple launches new pathway to help veterans become teachers in New Mexico
Golden Apple Foundation has launched Veterans into Teaching, a new pathway designed to help former service members transition into classroom careers. (Quilia / Unsplash)

Veterans into Teaching will add military-focused coaching and peer support to Golden Apple’s existing teacher-preparation programs

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Veterans interested in becoming teachers will have a new pathway into the profession through Golden Apple Foundation, which is adding military-focused coaching and peer support to its existing teacher-preparation programs.

The nonprofit announced the launch of Veterans into Teaching this week, a specialized pathway within its Scholars and Accelerators programs. Golden Apple operates the Scholars program in New Mexico and other states, helping aspiring teachers earn certification and enter K-12 classrooms.

The new pathway is funded by a grant from the Pepper Family Foundation.

Veterans who enter the program will receive the same financial support and mentorship available to other Golden Apple participants, along with coaching designed to help translate military leadership experience into classroom skills and peer networking focused on the transition to civilian careers.

“Veterans bring exactly the kind of leadership, discipline, and mission-driven mindset that make great teachers,” Golden Apple Foundation President Alan Mather said in the announcement.

Golden Apple said about 200,000 U.S. service members leave the military each year and argued that dedicated pathways into teaching have become more limited as federal investment in programs such as Troops to Teachers has stagnated.

The foundation also pointed to broader teacher shortages, citing an estimated 425,000 teaching positions nationwide that are vacant or filled by underqualified staff.

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In New Mexico, Golden Apple has operated its Scholars program since 2022. According to the foundation, Scholars are represented in 76% of the state’s counties, 86% come from underserved communities, 65% are first-generation college students and 76% are Scholars of color.

Golden Apple has said it hopes to prepare 500 teachers for New Mexico classrooms over five years with state support.

The foundation said four out of five Golden Apple Scholars earn a teaching license within six years, and 86% of Golden Apple teachers remain in the classroom for more than three years.

Applications are now open for the 2027-28 school year.

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