UNM-Gallup graduate Kevin Capitan, 39, of Tohatchi, poses for a portrait near the Health Careers Center at the Gallup branch campus on Sept. 23, 2024.

Tohatchi man begins legacy for himself at UNM-Gallup

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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Lobo receives assistance from Native American Teacher Preparation Program as he follows mother’s footsteps

By Richard Reyes, Friday, October 25, 2024

GALLUP, N.M. — Kevin Capitan, 39, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, had finished 12 years of work as a sales representative when he started thinking about his legacy and how to make a bigger impact on his community.

He could have continued down the comfortable sales route, but he thought about what he might be remembered for and how to inspire the next generation the way his mother inspired him. That’s when he decided to become a teacher like her.

“It takes that one step to keep you in the same situation,” he said. “It’ll take that extra step to change your life from what you’re used to, what you’re familiar with, to opening up a much broader experience, to a career, to accomplishing your goals and creating a legacy for yourself.”

"The front door to a new career"

Capitan already held a certificate through Albuquerque Job Corps, but he decided to return to school and enroll at The University of New Mexico-Gallup to work toward becoming an educator.

Capitan could have driven away and returned to his old job where he knew all the ins and outs, but a voice in his head encouraged him to embark on this new journey at UNM-Gallup.

“My mom,” Capitan said. “She told me when I started school, ‘Hey, there’s going to be one less educator in our society when I retire, so I dare you to take my place.’ Just remembering those words and looking at the front door to a new career and thinking, ‘You’re living your legacy, you’re going to start your legacy’ — that’s the drive that pushed me out of the Jeep.”

An excellent education

Capitan went on to graduate from UNM-Gallup in May 2024 with an Associate of Science in elementary teacher education with a concentration in science.

He described his experience at UNM-Gallup as “excellent.”

Capitan is officially enrolled through UNM main campus in Albuquerque now, but he’s still taking in-person courses at the Gallup branch because it’s closer to home and more convenient for him.

“The facilities are perfect, the classrooms are perfect, and my instructors are perfect,” he said. “I can’t think of anything negative.”

Capitan credited several UNM-Gallup instructors for helping him attain his degree. He said they were encouraging and sincere in their desire to see students succeed.

“Always try to make something of yourself”

Unfortunately, Capitan’s mother didn’t get to watch him graduate. She died in March 2024.

Like his mother, Capitan wants to continue his education and eventually work toward a master’s degree. He is currently working toward his bachelor’s at UNM main.

“The anguish and doubtfulness were gone”

To help him transition from the Gallup branch campus to UNM main campus, Capitan, who is Navajo, is receiving assistance from the Native American Teacher Preparation Program. One of his instructors, UNM-Gallup Director of Education Laura Moore, encouraged him to apply.

In addition to tuition and fees, the program also provides students with:

• Advisement.
• Mentorship by UNM Institute of American Indian Education faculty.
• Support to prepare for PRAXIS.
• Professional development to sustain Indigenous sovereignty.
• Licensure fees for elementary or secondary certification.
• Advocacy for Indigenous teacher candidates during field experience and after.
• Support to complete a Master of Arts in Language, Literacy & Sociocultural Studies with a concentration in American Indian Education.

"If she can do it, I can do it"

While Capitan is interested in seeing the world and possibly teaching at a Native American school in Canada someday, he ultimately wants to teach in Tohatchi and retire in Tohatchi.

Capitan said his passion is to help local kids, make them feel good about themselves and see them succeed.

“My goal is to help my community and touch as many lives as possible to not only encourage them, but watch them grow and develop and become new leaders for our community,” he said. “My mom finished 36 years of education and worked at the same school for over 20 years. If she can do it, I can do it.”

Learn more about the UNM-Gallup teacher education program here.

Learn more about the UNM Native American Teacher Preparation Program here.