CES LEAP

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About LEAP

Leading Educators through Alternative Pathways (LEAP) is an intensive and innovative approach for a year-long alternative licensure program tailored to prepare teachers to be successful in New Mexico’s diverse classrooms. With the collaboration of stakeholders in education, LEAP was designed to be application-based, asking participants to immediately utilize strategies they learn, and is practitioner-focused, drawing heavily from teachers’ daily problems of practice. Thus, candidates will be required to work in a classroom setting as a teacher-of-record.

Accepting applications for Cohort 7 starting March 31, 2025.

LEAP Atendee raising hand
Leap Logo

Mission Statement

CES LEAP is committed to developing quality educators while demonstrating compassion and holding high expectations for culturally responsive teaching and learning across the state of New Mexico. LEAP uses evidence-based strategies to train, coach, and inspire teachers to engage students in ways that make them feel important, cared for, and valued.

LEAP’s vision is that every teacher has foundational teaching skills, demonstrates special education best practices understanding and application and that every teacher takes on the responsibility of applying research-based reading strategies to diverse learners. Curriculum is standards-based, evidence-based, assessment-based, and student-based engaging candidates in an innovative approach to teacher preparation and coupled with mentoring.

LEAP Attendee

LEAP Curriculum and Supports

Instruction includes face-to-face and online modules (270 hours).

Candidates will be required to attend a pre-service summer institute beginning late-July.

Monthly seminars in their designated region (Saturday 8-4:30pm/1 x month).

District mentor collaboration is required with candidate referrals. Additional LEAP mentor supports are available.

Candidates receive instruction in both areas and are able to test and apply for both a General AND Special Education License (candidate must be teacher-of-record to apply for each license).

Curriculum includes required reading coursework.

LEAP Science

Program Costs

Semester One: July – December .……. $1500

Semester Two: January – June ……….. $1500
(Includes: curriculum, instruction, feedback, mentoring, and additional supports)

Application Fee  ………………………….. $50

Estimated Book Cost ……………………. $350.00

Candidate Costs Associated with Travel for the Summer – Institute and Regional Monthly Training…..$ (lodging, meals, gas, etc.).

Why LEAP was right for me

Our Team

Alexis Esslinger

LEAP Program Director

Jessica Powell

LEAP Facilitator (Literacy)

Tim Flores

LEAP Facilitator (Foundations)

Rene Rohrer

LEAP Facilitator (Special Education/Special Populations)

Angela Stock

LEAP Coach, Las Cruces

Kelly Bowles

LEAP Coach, Roswell

Lauren Butcher

LEAP Coach

Michelle Padilla

LEAP Coach

Aimee Parra

LEAP Coach

Sonia Trujillo

LEAP Coach

Suzanne Zamora

LEAP Coach

Yvette Lujan-Flores

LEAP Coach

Group photo with students
LEAP Attendee
LEAP Students
LEAP Classroom
LEAP Atendee raising hand
Megan Stevens
LEAP Group photo
LEAP group photo
Maria West
LEAP Attendee
M. Prewitt Picture
LEAP Science

LEAP Statistics 2022-2023

Cohorts

Counties Served

School Partners

New Teachers Prepared

Contact Leap

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To collaborate with LEAP on your teacher preparation initiatives, contact Alexis Esslinger

For invoicing/billing, please contact Delores Lujan