New Mexico’s educational journey is as diverse as its landscape, marked by both triumphs and tribulations. A consistent factor in this situation is the availability of educators to guide students along pathways toward success.
Critically, some of these paths should lead high-quality students back into classrooms in their home communities to foster a sustaining clutter of success. Initiatives like the Golden Apple Scholars Program and the Chase Foundation Scholarship foster this change and serve as beacons of hope, illuminating pathways to equitable education for all.
Take the story of Madison Woods and Bailey Rutherford, hailing from Artesia. Their commitment to their community’s educational upliftment is not just inspiring but transformative. Engaged in the Golden Apple Scholar program, their dedication stems from a profound understanding of the pressing need for quality educators in underserved regions. Bailey, driven by a vision of fostering inspiration and igniting educational pursuits in overlooked areas, puts it this way: “I want to contribute to ensuring these areas have educators who inspire students to continue their education and pursue happiness in life.”
These dedicated Golden Apple Scholars deeply understand the importance of New Mexico’s cultural identity in education. They stress the significance of emotional and social learning alongside academics, a sentiment echoed by many Golden Apple scholars. Madison shares, “Golden Apple has impacted me by providing insights into classroom dynamics, fostering friendships among students, and aiding teachers and students alike.”
The Golden Apple Scholars program plays a pivotal role in nurturing this comprehensive perspective. With programs spanning across the state, Golden Apple trains and empowers aspiring teachers — from high school seniors to college sophomores — to give back to and uplift the next generation of New Mexicans.
Of 85 total active Scholars, over 25% are from SE New Mexico. In the summer, Golden Apple Scholars engage in a hands-on summer institute, honing their teaching skills through real classroom experiences.
“We get to be in the classroom,” said Rutherford. “They provide opportunities for us that we can learn in a professional development setting, but then they also provide opportunities for us to apply that knowledge and get to really practice. You have to really become good at it because at some point the classroom throws you a curveball and you have to learn how to deal with that. Golden Apple provides opportunities for us to apply what we’re learning. I really enjoy that.”
Complementing Golden Apple’s efforts is the Chase Foundation Scholarship, a local initiative founded by Mack Chase to honor academic excellence and foster educational opportunities for Artesia’s brightest minds.
Bailey, a beneficiary of this scholarship, embodies its ethos of giving back to one’s roots and nurturing a brighter future for hometown communities. Bailey envisions a future where he attains a master’s degree in educational leadership and ultimately a PhD. His goal is to return to his community, working with students who need support the most. Stories like this are not uncommon with Golden Apple Scholars — nor are these sort of aspirations uncommon throughout rural New Mexico.
Through the combined efforts of programs like Golden Apple and the Chase Foundation Scholarship, individuals like Bailey and Madison are poised to become the next generation of dedicated educators. They aim to bring positive change to New Mexico’s educational landscape, all while celebrating its rich cultural heritage.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Golden Apple Scholars program helps address the teacher shortage crisis by providing aspiring educators with hands-on instruction from award-winning teachers. Over the past two years, over 300 students have applied to the program. Applications for the next cohort of scholars are being accepted until April 1. Students can apply by visiting www.goldenapple.org/scholars-new-mexico.)
