Governance & Administration Organizational Chart:
Head of School, Shawna Allison Becenti
Clans: Táchii’nii (Red Running into the Water Clan), ‘Áshįįhi (Salt People Clan), Mą‘ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), Tł‘ógi (Hairy Ones or Weaver-Zia Clan)
Mrs. Becenti was raised in Farmington, New Mexico, but has family ties to Tohatchi, NM, Crownpoint, NM, Ganado, AZ, and Parker, AZ. She is an alumna of Navajo Preparatory School and received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Secondary Education from University of New Mexico and a Master of School Administration degree from New Mexico State University. She is a proud mother of five children and grandmother of one grandson. Mrs. Becenti has been married twenty years to Kevin R. Becenti of Crownpoint, NM.
Mrs. Becenti spent her entire adult years in the area of education. She taught social studies courses at Piedra Vista High School, Rocinante High School, and Navajo Preparatory School. She entered administration at Navajo Preparatory School as an Athletic Director and Discipline Officer. She spent the last ten years teaching at Kirtland Central High School. She spent three years as Kirtland High’s Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, and seven years as the Principal. Kirtland Central High School was named a Bronze Medal School in the US News Best High Schools under her leadership.
Mrs. Becenti is honored and excited to return back home to where her educational journey began. She is an example of the school’s motto, Yideeskaago Naataanii.
Dean of Instruction, Keith Neil
Mr. Neil is a lifelong resident of San Juan County, attending Elementary and Middle School in Aztec, NM and spending his high school years at Grace Baptist Academy, while graduating from the Bible Baptist Shepherd School in Farmington, NM.
After high school, Mr. Neil moved on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, with minors in History and Bible/Theology from Simpson University in Redding, CA. Mr. Neil continued his education by receiving his Teacher Certification from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO and then receiving both a Master’s in Business Administration and Educational Administration license through New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. He spent two years teaching and coaching at Aztec High School, followed by six years at Farmington High School. In 2010, Mr. Neil transitioned out of the classroom for six years working at Pinon Hills Community Church as Associate Pastor in Student Ministry. In 2016, Mr. Neil returned to the education field, serving as Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Kirtland Central High School. He was given an opportunity to join the family at Navajo Prep in 2018 to serve as Dean of Instruction and has found a home amongst the amazing students and staff at NPS.
Mr. Neil has been married to his wife Stevie since 2001 and has two children. He loves to spend his free time fly fishing, camping, and playing golf.
Assistant Dean of Instruction, Rainy Crisp
Rainy Crisp is from Shiprock NM. She shares three kids with significant other, Roddell Denetso: Dontrelle Denetso, Nijrelle Denetso, and Dejahnelle Denetso. Rainy graduated from Navajo Prep in 1998 and attended Arizona State University. After getting her degree in Exercise Science/Secondary Education, she came back to Navajo Prep and began her teaching career in Physical Education & Health. Throughout the 11 years, Ms. Crisp also taught Fitness Training, Junior/Senior Seminar and served as an athletic coach, the Tobacco Use, Prevention and Control Coordinator, and a Class Sponsor multiple of times. In 2013 Ms. Crisp received her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education and in 2016 received her Administrative License. She now serves as the Assistant Dean of Instruction and Athletic Director.
Dean of Student Life, Roderick Denetso
Clans are: Tsi’naajinii, Kinlichii’nii and African American.
Mr. Denetso is originally from Klagetoh, AZ and is a 1996 graduate of Ganado High School. Mr. Denetso went on to pursue an athletic career at Arizona State University and a brief stint playing professional football overseas. Mr. Denetso received his Master's degree from NMHU as a Clinical Social Worker and his B.S. degree in Family Studies/Human Development and Thematic in Education. Mr. Denetso has extensive work experience in behavioral health and social work. Mr. Denetso has served at NPS for approximately nine years in the following areas: Dean of Student Life in the Residential Program and Admissions Coordinator. He has also coached football, baseball, and track. Mr. Denetso enjoys giving back to the youth, is active in the community, and is a motivational speaker for our youth. In his free time, he enjoys being with family, friends, and anything that involves sports. Mr. Denetso reports, “I am living the dream working at NPS with your children".
Director of Finance, Manuel Watchman
Manuel Watchman is the current Human Resource Director and brings 12 years of HR experience. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Boston University in International Relations and a Master's degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts as of May 2022. He has worked at two other schools and is familiar with regulations. Additionally, he has worked in many aspects of HR including benefits administration, management, training, and more. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with family, home improvement, volunteering, and has recently assisted a nonprofit small business organization.
manuel.watchman@navajoprep.com
Director of Food Services, Victor Alvarez
Biography coming soon.
Operations Manager, Stacy Irwin
Stacy Irwin was born in Seattle, WA. After graduating from Auburn Adventist Academy, he moved to New Mexico in 1975, where he married his wife Tracey and had three kids: Jenny, Frank, and Kaitlyn. Since he’s been at Navajo Prep, Stacy has greatly enjoyed overseeing the maintenance and physical operations of our campus and working closely with his staff to ensure that our campus is functioning in all areas to its fullest capacity. In addition to his administrative duties, Stacy has been coaching the soccer team at Navajo Prep for over a decade. He is proud of his work at the school and his time with our students as they go on to continue their education and athletics in their college careers. Outside of Navajo Prep, Stacy is a recognized soccer coach and referee throughout the state and is an avid Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders fan.
Director of Human Resources, Violet Kelley
Biography coming soon.
Network Administrator, Sean Bekis
Mr. Bekis is a lifelong New Mexico resident. Sean was raised in Upper Fruitland and graduated from Kirtland Central High School in 1999. He has always had a passion for computer systems and helping others utilize the systems. He graduated from San Juan College’s Information Technology Program and currently has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology (Networking Emphasis). Sean has 14 years of experience working with IT in the education sector, which includes serving as the Network Administrator for Central Consolidated Schools. In his free time, Mr. Bekis enjoys watching sports and spending time with his two daughters. The 2019-20 school year is the first year that Sean served as part of the Navajo Preparatory School administrative team.
Dean of Student and Community Engagement, Darah Tabrum
Darah Tabrum is the Dean of Student and Community Engagement. The Student and Community Engagement department includes admissions, college guidance, school-based health center, academic support, counseling, and social and emotional wellness. Her family is from New Zealand, but she has lived in New Mexico for over ten years and feels lucky to call the Four Corners home. She earned her Bachelor of Art degree from Agnes Scott College in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico. Prior to working at Navajo Prep, Ms. Tabrum taught college success, gifted, and coordinated early college and college access initiatives. She believes deeply in supporting student identity development and supporting students to accomplish their dreams. Outside of work, you might find Ms. Tabrum enjoying a hike outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and seeking an adventure!
Director of the Dine Bizaad Center, Kevin Belin
Mr. Belin is the Navajo Language teacher at Navajo Prep, as well as owner of Hashké – Hozhó Design and Collaborative and Adjunct Instructor with Diné College with the Navajo Cultural Arts Program. Mr. Belin has been in the education field for nearly a decade working with fellow teachers, consultants, and language instructors to perpetuate the Navajo Language and Culture through curriculum building, trainings, and presentations. Throughout the year, Mr. Belin is consulted to work with youth and demonstrate hands on workshops in historical and cultural knowledge. “I don’t consider myself an expert, but I am the bridge that connects the knowledge banks that are our elders to the young and discouraged learners with modern approaches to language learning and scaffolded instruction to understanding the complex concepts of Sa’ah Naaghei Bik’eh Hozho.” Mr. Belin has been featured on Native America Calling, American Indian Republic, 21st Century Native leaders podcast and Indian Country Today as a cultural representative and is a Billy Mill’s Running Strong Dreamstarter. “Teaching the Navajo Language to our young leaders and helping them understand the complexity that is the Diné way of life is a lifelong endeavor.”
Administrative Services Coordinator, Yvette Escojeda
Yvette joined the Navajo Prep family 2017. Before her current role, she was the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Instruction and the Administrative Assistant to the Head of School. Yvette oversees administrative functions for the Head of School, which includes overseeing certain components of procurement, maintaining the school website, coordinating communications between the Governing Board of Trustees and the school, and looking for additional funding for the school with different legislative branches. Yvette enjoys being a College Prep Advisor to seven students, and coaching the Navajo Prep cheer team. Yvette’s top strengths are planning and organizing school events and providing excellent customer service. Yvette has three children, and on the weekend, you can find Yvette on the back of her husband’s Harley admiring the Colorado scenery.