Contact Melanie Landers
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CARLSBAD, CA - Beacons announced June 1, 2023, that Kimberleigh Kopp will join Beacons as its new Executive Director to oversee Beacons’ 3rd site expansion since 2018, and continued expansion of its innovative programming to support adults with diverse intellectual abilities. Kopp previously served as an Executive Director managing twenty-two K-12 schools, as well as a Lead Teacher of Educational Technology, prior to joining Beacons.
“The Board is excited to welcome Kimberleigh to our organization,” said Lucile Lynch, Beacons Board President and Co-Founder. “Kimberleigh brings not only 15+ years of experience as an educational leader and operational manager, but also a demonstrated record of grant writing and working with underserved individuals to approve outcomes.”
Kopp has her Masters of Arts in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) and has been recognized by the State of California for successfully closing achievement gaps. She also has her Administrative Services credential, Multiple Subject Teaching credential, and Career Technical Education teaching credential in art, media and entertainment, as well as certification in structured English immersion and cross-cultural language acquisition and development (CLAD). She previously served as an ESL teacher.
Kopp has previously grown a pre-college program from less than 400 to 4,000 students, managing all aspects of program budgeting and growth, hiring and training, and was instrumental in securing triple regional accreditation for that program. She also created award-winning robotics and basketball teams.
“I am very proud and honored to be part of this great organization as leaders in post- secondary education and programming,” said Kopp. “I look forward to building on this legacy which has already contributed so much to the community.”.
About Beacons, Inc. (Beacon North County)
Beacons, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit that supports adults with diverse intellectual abilities in the areas of life planning and vocational training as well as social recreational activities. North County is home to approximately 13,000 individuals with disabilities, including over 6,500 with development and/or intellectual disabilities. In August, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors proclaimed August 30th “Beacons North County Day,” in recognition of its “outstanding” work.
Beacons was founded by parents committed to providing more adult options in North County, which has historically had fewer options than the southern part of the county to meet the needs of its residents with developmental disabilities.
For more information on Beacons, please visit:
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