February 3, 2021
Las Vegas, N.M – Becky Kappus now leads the New Mexico Highlands University’s fast track online teacher licensure program aimed at getting professionals with bachelor’s degrees or higher into education careers faster.
Kappus has more than 30 years of educator experience, including working as a university education professor and administrator, education program manager and classroom teacher. She is the new director for the Highlands School of Education Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP).
“My main goal is to build upon the innovative work begun in the alternative licensure program by the School of Education,” Kappus said. “My goal is to continue to develop additional partnerships with school districts and communities to ensure that our teachers meet their needs.”
Kappus said through this collaboration, the School of Education can continue to refine the 2-year-old program to ensure the candidates are able to directly apply in the classroom what they are learning in the ATCP program.
Details about the fast track teacher licensure program are online at the School of Education webpage at www.nmhu.edu/fasttrack Use the CERT link.
Some of the program highlights include: the courses are offered online primarily in an asynchronous format to accommodate professional adult learners in accessing the courses at any time; all participants receive individual online support with a university supervisor as well as internships and seminars; and participants are employed as a teacher while they are completing the program.
The School of Education offers three New Mexico approved individualized alternative teacher licensure programs: elementary, secondary and special education. The program is taught in one academic calendar year in eight-week sessions.
“It is very exciting for me to support individuals in this program who have decided they want to serve New Mexico students as educators. Many of our candidates are career changers and they bring valuable life experiences to this work,” Kappus said.
Kappus said like most states, New Mexico is experiencing a teacher shortage.
“This program supports the teacher pipeline by supporting alternatively licensed teachers who get into the classroom faster,” Kappus said.
Kappus earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University in 2016 and her M.A. in education, language, literacy and sociocultural studies from the University of New Mexico in 2006. She completed a B.S. in secondary education from Utah State University.
Previously, Kappus was an education preparation program manager at the New Mexico Public Education Department. In addition, Kappus taught in the College of Education at the University of Phoenix Albuquerque campus from 2006 to 2018, where she was the college chair in education from 2010 – 2015.
Earlier in her career, Kappus was a middle school social studies teacher for more than 25 years in Albuquerque schools.
“I have worked in all areas of education and understand how all the parts must work together to support student learning. I grasp the challenging work of educators,” Kappus said.
Kappus said she is overjoyed to be working at Highlands.
“My colleagues in the School of Education are dedicated to preparing candidates who serve students who are culturally and linguistically diverse. I’m happy to be part of a team that focuses on continually improving,” Kappus said.
For more information about Highlands’ fast track teacher licensure program, contact Kappus at beckykappus@nmhu.edu