By LINDA BATTLES
Regional Vice President
WGU South Region

It is encouraging to see support for Senate Bill 307, which expands eligibility for the Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship to pay for licensed teachers to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees (link).

For years, New Mexico — like many states — has seen too many bright, capable teachers leave the profession. Reasons include a low return on their college investment, low pay, high pressure, and feeling undervalued. As a state, we must invest in and support our teachers at all levels, not only for those currently working in classrooms but for the future of the profession.

One way to do this is to support their professional development as Senate Bill 307 aims to do. Another is to help them earn their degree efficiently and cost-effectively. At Western Governors University (WGU), a non-profit online university, we’re doing our part by making sure our future educators can earn their teaching degrees at about half the cost of other online universities.

WGU is also proud to offer scholarships for those who want to begin or further their teaching career. We not only want teachers to be good educators, we also want them to be successful professionals with little debt and room for continued growth.