Program Overview:

• The APS/UNM Partnership Program in Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities is a nationally recognized teacher preparation program.
  

• The program is designed to support teachers entering the field of special education who do not hold a special education license and may or may not have previous experience in the field of education.
  
  

• The program is intended to support individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree in any field by August 2008 and who want to teach children with disabilities. 
  
  

• Participants receive a stipend of $15,450 for their 1st year of teaching and full teacher salary and benefits for their 2nd year of teaching.
  
  

• Participants receive up to 45 credit hours of tuition to complete licensure and an MA in Special Education in the Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities Concentration in a two year period.
  
  

• Participants receive direct support in their classroom for two years and the opportunity to participate in APS new teacher support and staff development.
  
  

• Participants agree to teach in APS for two years after the completion of licensure requirements.
  
  

• Participants are supported in becoming teacher leaders who implement and model research-based best practices.
  

Contact Information:

• To receive additional program information or to obtain an application packet, please contact Tiffany Brown-Wright at (505) 277-5019, or by e-mail at twright@unm.edu.
  
  
  

• The vision of the University of New Mexico’s Special Education Concentration in Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities: Studies in Educational Equity for Diverse Exceptional Learners is that all children and adults with disabilities will be valued members of their communities, including their communities of learners.
  
  
• The APS/UNM Partnership Program in Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities supports this vision through collaboration with people with mental retardation and other disabilities, their families, friends, and the community.
  
  
• The Albuquerque Public Schools and the faculty of the Mental Retardation and Severe Disabilities Concentration strongly advocate for educational equity, social justice, and inclusive education for individuals with disabilities. Consistent with this focus, partnership program participants will be part of a vibrant learning community, committed to issues related to mental retardation, severe disabilities, and inclusive education.