UNM awarded Department of Education grant for new special education teachers

The University of New Mexico College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) has received a major award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to launch the E3 Program - Effective Evidence-based Education, a comprehensive initiative designed to prepare new special education teachers through high-quality, fully funded graduate education.

Over the next five years, the grant will support 28 graduate students, providing full tuition, stipends, professional development, and licensure preparation as they prepare to serve students with disabilities across New Mexico.

The OSEP Personnel Preparation Grant represents a significant investment in New Mexico's educator workforce at a moment of heightened attention on teacher shortages statewide. While teacher vacancies affect nearly every region of the country, shortages in special education are among the most severe, both nationally and in New Mexico's urban and rural school districts.

"This is a powerful example of how UNM is stepping forward to meet the needs of New Mexico's schools through innovative, evidence-based educator preparation," said COEHS Dean Kristopher Goodrich. "By equipping new teachers with exceptional preparation and support, we are directly addressing one of the state's most critical workforce challenges."

Preparing New Teachers Through the E3 Program

Led by Principal Investigator Allison Nannemann, assistant professor in the Department of Special Education, the E3 Program is a two-year master's and licensure pathway designed for individuals who are new to teaching. The program intentionally recruits both pre-service and in-service professionals who have not yet received initial licensure but who hold a bachelor's degree. Many are mid-career professionals, parents, or school staff seeking to enter the teaching field for the first time.

"We're looking for individuals who are passionate about working with students with disabilities and who are excited about teaching in New Mexico," said Nannemann. "Many of our candidates will be people making a meaningful career shift into education. This grant allows us to provide them with all the supports they need to succeed as graduate students and special educators."

The program includes both online and in-person coursework, offered at a part-time pace to increase accessibility for participants statewide. Coursework aligns closely with UNM's existing master's and licensure programs, with an intentional focus on literacy and mathematics instruction for students with disabilities - addressing emerging state priorities and national best practices.

Robust Support for Scholars

Each cohort will include seven students, beginning annually each January. E3 scholars will receive full tuition and fees, a $1,200 technology and materials stipend, two years of student membership to the Council for Exceptional Children, faculty and peer mentoring, and a mentored, funded professional conference experience during their second year. Additional support includes licensure exam preparation, flexible course schedules, and targeted mentorship through faculty and near-peer advisors.

Because students complete their licensure coursework in the first year, they may enter classrooms as licensed special education teachers within one to two years of starting the program - helping to fill critical classroom vacancies quickly while maintaining high preparation standards.

The total per-student investment is estimated between $14,000 and $15,000 per year, reflecting the program's commitment to comprehensive, high-impact preparation.

Collaborative Effort and Strategic Timing

The proposal was developed by a collaborative team of faculty including Nannemann, Dr. Yen Pham, Dr. Sarah Carlson, and Dr. Aimee Hackney, with support from Dean Goodrich, Project ECHO at UNM's Health Sciences Center, and multiple local school districts including Albuquerque Public Schools, Rio Rancho Public Schools, and Los Lunas Schools, all of whom contributed letters of support.

"This award reflects the strength of our faculty, our community partnerships, and our shared commitment to ensuring that every child in New Mexico has access to a well-prepared special education teacher," said Goodrich. "It's also a testament to the urgency and alignment we're seeing across federal, state, and local levels to address these shortages strategically."

Recruitment Now Open

Recruitment for the first E3 cohort is now underway, with classes beginning in January 2026. Prospective applicants must meet admission requirements for the Special Education master's program. For best consideration, applications should be submitted by Nov. 7, 2025. Virtual information sessions will be held throughout October and early November.

"We were awarded this grant at the end of September and are moving quickly to recruit our first cohort," said Nannemann. "It's a fast turnaround, but we're excited to hit the ground running and bring new, passionate teachers into classrooms where they're needed most."

The OSEP Personnel Preparation Grant underscores UNM COEHS's ongoing leadership in advancing New Mexico's educator workforce through targeted, evidence-based initiatives. As attention to education policy and workforce development intensifies statewide, programs like E3 offer a model for sustainable, collaborative solutions that center teacher quality and student learning.

For more information or to apply, contact Dr. Allison Nannemann at [email protected] or visit coehs.unm.edu.