Taos Education Collaborative is dedicated to eliminating the barriers that stand between our community’s youth and educational success. Through collective action, we’re working to make Taos a place where a high-quality learning and educational experiences are available and accessible to learners of all ages.
About Taos Education Collaborative
Taos, New Mexico is a uniquely beautiful place, rich in diversity, culture, and natural beauty. But our community is not without its challenges. 17 percent of our residents live below the poverty line. That’s five percent higher than the national average.
At nearly every transition point, students run into barriers instead of bridges. In response, they often disengage or drop out of school altogether.
If we are serious about creating an equitable Taos, we must start with education. That’s why Taos Education Collaborative is committed to collaborative, creative solutions that help our students and community thrive.
TEC’s Mission & Vision
The Taos Education Collaborative (TEC) works to fill the gap in educational equity for students across Taos County. TEC is a coalition of educators, philanthropists, businesses, foundations and non-profits organizations dedicated to expanding opportunities for all.
Our Vision
The vision of the Taos Education Collaborative (TEC) is for all Taos, NM youth and families to realize their full potential, thereby building a more equitable and prosperous future for our community.
Our Mission
The Taos Education Collaborative (TEC) is the “glue” for a comprehensive network of cross-sector support for learners of all ages, working to increase digital equity, STEM opportunities, and out-of-school time access for the children of Taos, New Mexico.
“The role of the TEC is to unify, amplify, and empower our community to collectively and sustainably solve complex problems that no one of us can solve on our own.”
Elizabeth S. LeBlanc, Founder & Director
TEC COMMUNITY RESOURCES
We work with utility companies, service providers, property owners, and learning hubs across Taos County to increase digital equity.
Our Focus Areas
The Taos Education Collaborative (TEC) comprises community organizations, local businesses, and educators dedicated to addressing the inequities faced by Taos, NM youth.
By working together, TEC creates networks of support that increase educational opportunities, engagement, and attainment - and remove barriers to the same - for all students, particularly those from marginalized and rural populations.
We support increased STEM opportunities through in-school, out-of-school, and weekend activities to prepare Taos students for growing industries in our state and region.
Together with our partners, we turn silos into systems and work to remove barriers to participation in all that Taos has to offer!
Our goal is educational equity for all Taos students!
Increasing Digital Equity
The National Education Technology Plan has identified three “digital divides” at the home/individual, community, and school levels. Many Taos residents live on the wrong side of all of them.
Taos Education Collaborative works with our community schools partners, providers, and funders to:
- Identify and publish over 100 free community access points for free Internet access
- Revive our Home Internet Access Program which provides scholarships to families with school-aged students for whom economic barriers are an issue to home access
- Identify and support a network of Learning Labs across Taos County that can provide digital literacy programming and infrastructure
Building STEM Equity
The 2021 Education Snapshot for Taos County put the percentage of 8th grade students demonstrating proficiency in math at 19% - but for Hispanic-identifying students, the average drops to 16%. The rates are even lower for students from economically disadvantaged families or students with learning disabilities.
At the same time, the workforce needs in northern New Mexico are Technology, Computer Science, and Film-making, meaning that Taos students are largely not equipped to participate in the economic opportunities in our area.
The TEC Community Summer Camp included daily activities in STEM, math, science, coding, robotics, and social-emotional learning during the camp day.
Opening Doors
Demographically, the students and families served by TEC reflect the greater Taos community with 84% of families served identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 10% as Caucasian or Anglo, and 6% as Native American. Over 76% of students served overall qualify for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
TEC is dedicated to working with those most impacted by these issues as well as those serving them to co-create innovative solutions that can scale to others. Our unique approach to collaboration, resource-sharing, and problem-solving breaks down barriers to increasing our collective impact!
"De la comunidad, por la comunidad"
TEC Projects & Impact
Our Community Resources
Over 100 free community wi-fi access points to keep Taos students and families connected to education and healthcare resources.
Find the services, resources and activities you need for you and your family to thrive.
Need a hand finding opportunities for you or your children OR help with scholarships, gear, or transportation? Let our Community Connector help!
TEC Community Access Points
TEC Community Access Points
On this map are Internet Access points that students can use to access Wifi across Taos County.
Map Key
Red Points - WIFI access points in businesses
Blue Points - WIFI access points in schools
Yellow Points - Public WIFI on Kit Carson network
Purple - Town of Taos WIFI access points
Green - Learning Hubs with WIFI access points
Click on the points to see password and network information.
TEC Community Resource Map
TEC Community Resource Map
The Taos Community Resource Map seeks to connect community members in Taos with local services and resources needed to advance their family, education and career goals.
This map is also for organizations and individuals serving the Taos community as we work to better collaborate across the region, and refer community members to various resources, as needed.
Add a Resource or Organization to the Map
TEC Community Connector
Positive youth experiences make a huge difference in the life of a child. TEC’s Community Connector Program helps families find the resources, services, and opportunities their children need to thrive.
Fill out our referral form here or scan the QR code to get in touch with our Community Connector!
Our Goal:
100% of Taos Kids Connected to Positive Youth Experiences!
TEC Community Calendar
Search by date to find activities for kids, youth and families!
To add events, email calendar@taosedcollab.org
Our journey
through the years
Year 1
TEC was founded in July of 2020 to support at-home Internet access and to support Taos students in staying connected to their learning during pandemic.
Year 3
Through a grant from the Wallace Foundation, TEC teamed with 5 community partners to reengage adolescent learners and launched our “Community Connector” program.
Year 2
With funding from multiple partners, TEC created 5 learning labs across Taos County serving over 150 students and became a CivicHub fellow for their “Building Rural learning Systems” initiative.
Year 4
TEC was recognized locally through the annual “Women Give Taos” award and nationally as an inaugural fellow of the Clinton Global Initiative.
Our Partners
To achieve its mission and vision, TEC develops strong partnerships with schools, health and wellness organizations, youth development and mentorship programs, career and workforce development, community and social services, cultural and identity-based organizations, philanthropic organizations, and local employers.
Make a DOnation
You can make a tax-free donation to TEC through the Taos Community Foundation. Donors can choose general support or may pledge targeted support for any one of our programs.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
MAKE A REFERRAL
Know of a family that needs some support? Make a referral on their behalf to have our Community Connector reach out.
CONTACT US
Email us to say hi, introduce yourself, and make a connection!
Get Involved!