For All Early Childhood Professionals

New Mexico’s Early Childhood Networks are designed to create a sense of community in the profession. Early care and education professionals often spend their days mostly with children or with colleagues at their own program. This means they may have few opportunities to learn from other professionals or discuss strategies for approaching shared challenges. New Mexico offers programs (with stipends!) for professionals to have those valuable discussions. Here’s an overview of the Early Childhood Network programs:

• Infant-Toddler Teacher Network: As the name suggests, this network is for care and education professionals who work with children up to 36 months. Providing care to the youngest children is an essential specialty in early childhood, and the network offers a supportive community to meet other infant-toddler teachers, earn professional development hours, and receive a $40 stipend for each monthly meeting you attend. Network meetings are conducted in English and Spanish. Learn more here.

• Home-Based Provider Network: In this network, home-based providers or professionals thinking of starting a home-based care business can share resources and ask questions. Topics include the paperwork and approvals required to start a home-based care business, plus professional development and chances to connect with other providers. The network is conducted in English and Spanish, with $40 stipends for each monthly meeting attended. Learn more and apply here. 

• Director network: Running an early childhood program is a tough job, with distinct challenges as well as joys. The Early Childhood Director Network creates a place for program leaders to learn together, discuss approaches to common challenges, and connect with other professionals with similar roles. Network meetings are held in English and Spanish, with a $40 stipend for each monthly meeting attended. Get started here. 

For Advanced Professionals

If you want to share your expertise and earn some extra money, serving as a mentor or network leader may be a good fit. Here’s a quick rundown of roles and opportunities: 

• Mentor: Early childhood mentors support and guide the next generation of early childhood professionals. You’ll be trained and certified in the mentorship process, and there are virtual and in-person options for serving as a mentor. The time commitment is 5-10 hours per week, and mentors can receive stipends of up to $1000 per semester for their time and expertise. Mentors must have at least an associate degree in early childhood and three years of experience. Interested? Learn more and start your application here.
  
  
• Lead Mentor: A lead mentor organizes and supports the other mentors, who meet regularly to discuss their experiences and problem-solve together. This role requires a time commitment of 5-15 hours per week, including initial interviews and a training program. Lead mentors receive a stipend of $1,500 per semester. Does this sound like you? Get started here. 

• Network Lead: Each Early Childhood Network program has a leadership position. The Network Lead role has a time commitment of about 5-15 hours per week and a stipend of $1500 per semester. Duties involve planning and facilitating network meetings, and Leads attend a summer training and leadership retreat to prepare them for the role. Learn more and apply for Network leadership roles: 
  • Lead Mentor
  • Lead Infant-Toddler Teacher
  • Lead Director
  • Lead Home-Based Provider

For Newer Professionals

If you’re new to the field and wondering how to get support from a mentor, you can apply to be a mentee. If you’re enrolled in an early childhood higher education program, you can be matched with a mentor as part of your practicum process. Talk with your faculty advisor about whether it’s the right time in your program to apply. Or! If you aren’t in school but are a new teacher working in an early childhood setting, you can still apply for a mentor. You’ll need a letter from your supervisor recommending you for mentorship. Mentees receive stipends for time spent on the mentorship process, and in-person or virtual support to help deepen their early childhood knowledge and skills. Learn more and apply here.