Principal Mentoring
The Principal Mentor Network of the New Mexico Leadership Institute
In 2008, the New Mexico Legislature unanimously passed Senate Joint Memorial 3 (SJM3). SJM 3 directed the Office of Education Accountability (OEA), Public Education Department (PED), and Higher Education Department (HED) to collaborate with school districts and institutions of higher education in the development of a plan to enhance the recruitment, preparation, mentoring, evaluation, professional development and support for school principals and other educational leaders.
The SJM3 summary report, Strong Leaders for New Mexico Schools, proposed six recommendations. One recommendation was to develop and implement the New Mexico Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute will provide a comprehensive and cohesive framework for strengthening the preparation, mentoring and professional development of school leaders. One aspect of the framework, principal mentoring, is a primary focus of the leadership development efforts.
In 2009, the New Mexico Legislature passed and Governor Richardson signed HB 2 that appropriated $200K towards the establishment of an Educational Leadership Institute. In addition, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed SB 133, which allows for a Provisional Level 3B Administrator’s Licensure to be issued by the Public Education Department
Why mentoring for principals?
- Between 1994 and 2004, 51% of New Mexico’s schools had 3 or more principals
- The average age of school principals in New Mexico is 51. New Mexico school district superintendents report difficulties attracting high-quality candidates into the principalship.
- The total number of Education Administration degrees awarded by the 5 state universities has declined 43% since 2003.
- Research nationally indicates that school leadership is second only to teaching among school related factors that affect student learning.
What is the Principal Mentor Network?
The Principal Mentor Network is designed to provide professional development, resources and networking for districts and Charter schools who:
- Are required to develop a principal mentoring plan to support provisionally licensed principals, and/or
- Want to develop a program for mentoring new principals and assistant principals in order to more fully support them.
Principal Mentor Network Contact Information
Barbara Trujillo
Principal Mentor Network Coordinator
Office of Education Accountability
505-254-8570
Fax: 505-476-1072
barbt@comcast.net
Richard LaPan
Senior Policy Director
Office of Education Accountability
505-476-1060
Fax: 505-476-1072
Richard.LaPan@state.nm.us
New Mexico Public Education Department
Phil Baca
Director
Professional Licensure Bureau
505-827-4522
Fax: 827-4148
phil.baca@state.nm.us
Larry J. Martinez
Bureau Chief
Professional Development Bureau
505-827-3541
Fax: 505-827-3525
Lawrence.martinez1@state.nm.us
University Partnerships
Dr. Susanna Murphy
Director
UNM College of Education Partnership Office
505-277-2621
Fax: 505-277-2064
smurphy1@unm.edu
Supported by the Educator Quality Division at the New Mexico Public Education Department