NAF Alumni Highlight Teachers for World Teachers’ Day
October 5 is World Teachers’ Day. Educators are an important group in our national network. With their belief and execution of NAF’s educational design, they provide students with quality education. To celebrate our educators, we reached out to some NAF alumni to find out how their NAF teachers made an impact on their lives.
What makes you want to celebrate this educator on World Teachers’ Day?
“Mr. Robert Machado is not only a teacher but a mentor. He makes time for his students and exemplifies what it means to be apart of NAF. He has fostered academic growth in all of his students and sparked a passion for success in all students. Mr Machado is constantly helping and improving us, he provides opportunities for professional development and personal growth. No matter the time of day he makes time to talk with us about school, work, or our future. Mr. Machado will always be the reason for my passion in business.” -Joshua Harper, Hickory Ridge High School AOHT
“Dr. Cheryl Gonder is a great teacher and internship coordinator. I thank her for all her hard work and her time she has given to me.” -Oscar Osorio, Foshay Learning Center AOF
“Ms. Giuseppa Walsh is a great teacher who really understands the material well and has the ability to explain it amazingly. She takes the time to help struggling students and provides plenty of time for questions. Overall, a great teacher and person to have in your corner and to know.” -Mannat Thukral, Fort Lee High School AOF
“Mr. Scott Karjala was one of the absolute amazing teachers I’ve ever had. He was very successful in incorporating learning with technology, which made our classes hands on. He was a kind teacher who opened his classroom up during and after school to provide extra support and time to students during intense engineering programs. He made me feel like a valued student and led me to not only learn but understand the many complex concepts of digital electronics and computer integrated manufacturing.” -Madison Bower, Harmony Magnet AOE
“Mr. Joseph Gonzalez impacted my life for the better. He taught me things that a regular high school teacher would not teach. He changed the way I view everything. He taught me how to make money from anything, from a newspaper article to a television ad. Every day there was something new to learn from him. He is a very dedicated and amazing teacher.” –Carolina Martinez, W.H. Adamson High School AOF
“Mr. Scott Dixon is such a genuine person and teacher. As my teacher in my sophomore and senior year of high school, my classmates and I learned so many beneficial tools that have helped me succeed in life, and now my new chapter at college. Being in the academy of finance was so much more than just finance. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, how to interview, write a resume, how to budget and most importantly how to speak in front of an audience confidently. Not a day goes by that I don’t use all the skills that I have learned. I excel in areas that most teenagers my age don’t. Mr. Dixon’s classroom was the one you could go to at any time to get help or advice about an internship, other school classes, or to just simply have a place to work on homework. He is a great teacher, academy director, and a person who deserves recognition.” -Madsyn Cieri, Lancaster High School AOF
“Ms. Lauren Zelniker was the best teacher ever! She always made sure we were on track and made herself available if we need help with anything. All I can say is that she’s amazing!” -Marie Saint Remy, North Miami Senior High School AOHS
“Ms. Gladys Montgomery was an amazing teacher! From the moment I met her, I could tell that she was serious about seeing her students excel. She was always caring towards her students and made sure that her students were on the path towards accomplishing their goals. When I met Ms. Montgomery, I was in another academic program in my school that I knew wasn’t for me. Although I wasn’t able to get out of the other program, Ms. Montgomery saw my passion to be involved in the NAF academy of finance and she worked with me and my other program Director to ensure I could graduate from both programs. I am forever grateful for all that Ms. Montgomery did for me in high school!” -Brittany Clark, Charles Herbert Flowers High School AOF
“There’s a reason why his name to his students stands as Coach Bryant instead of Mr. James Bryant. He is all aspects of a coach in the classroom setting. He pushes you out of your comfort zone to try new things because he believes in you. He motivates you to be the best version of yourself. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t have the self-confidence, the drive to keep improving, and the passion for Culinary Arts that I have today. If it wasn’t for his passion in seeing students reach the stars, all the students he’s “coached” around the years wouldn’t be who they are today. He is the living definition of how a teacher can impact a student’s life. I thank him continuously for being my mentor and coach because he truly made me find myself.” -Jessica Orozco, Hialeah Gardens High School AOHT
“Ms. Kristen Lawrence is one of the most driven and hardworking teachers I’ve ever met. She was the heart and soul of our academy and she did everything in her power to provide us with as many opportunities as possible. Without her, I wouldn’t be as well-rounded in the professional sense or in my career skills. She was a highly influential part of my high school education!” -Katherine Leyonmark, Hamburg High School AOF
“Mr. Marco Moreno was one of the best teachers I had during high school. He helped me find out what I wanted to study in college, which is general business. He was charismatic about what he did, and made everything fun, even though he is one of the most serious teachers I’ve had. He has been extremely helpful to me, and I am extremely appreciative of him for that.” -Hayden Mason, Raymond S. Kellis High School AOHT
“Ms. Giuseppa Walsh is a great teacher. She makes sure that you understand the concepts well and is also very passionate about what she teaches.” -Sandeep Patwalia, Fort Lee High School AOF
“There are hardly enough of the right words to describe Mrs. Schifano. Over the years her room became like a second home, and she was like another mother, one that went through the school day with you. She encourages all of her students, and never gives up on them even if they give up on themselves, which most of us do at some point. She was always there giving us a reason not to doubt ourselves. If you needed something she was willing to do all that she could to help, and her door was always open no matter what. She was available to give advice, help with class work, and just to listen to any of her students whenever they simply needed an ear. Sure, she could be a pain sometimes, but it was all good intentions. Ms. Schifano just wants the best for her students. She’s with us from the very moment we step into her class for the first time, and beyond the moment we leave for graduation. She’s a support system, a cheerleader, and goes above beyond as an educator. I couldn’t be more grateful to have had her as a teacher, because I know that I’m better for it.” -Madison Scheuneman, Lake Shore Central High School AOF
“Mr. Robert Machado started the academy of hospitality and tourism at our school. I had him as a teacher for 2 1/2 years and a mentor for my entire high school experience. I learned a lot from him and the program. It helped me determine what I want to do as a career for the rest of my life. It wouldn’t have been the same experience without Mr. Machado! Thank you!” -Sophie Chrisco, Hickory High School AOHT
“Ms. Elizabeth Jordan has been pushing me to do greatness ever since I stepped foot in her class in 10nth grade. She never fails to inspire, she’s like a second mother to many in this school.” –Melenie Moreno, Emmett J. Conrad High School AOE
“Mr. Stephen Adamczyk, or Mr. A, was my favorite teacher when I was in high school. He was super funny and supportive, and he always made sure I was understanding all the material. He was the person who encouraged me to take Advanced Manufacturing I. The class that made me want to become a mechanical engineer. I am now pursuing an engineering apprenticeship with groninger USA with Mr. A’s full support. He’s always there for me, and I was very fortunate to have him as a teacher.” -Jenny Dam, Olympic High School AOE
“Mr. Allen Christensen, or Mr. C, was my Advanced Manufacturing I and Advanced Manufacturing II teacher during my sophomore and junior years of high school. He is funny, sarcastic, and very understanding. If I messed up trying to machine a part, he would joke about how it’s “all part of the OLC: the ol’ learning curve.” In fact, the Advanced Manufacturing I class that I took with him was the first class that made me want to become a mechanical engineer. I was always super excited to go to his class every day because I loved working with the machines. His class inspired me to pursue all the other engineering classes my school had to offer. The machine that I loved working on the most was the CNC (computer numerical control) milling machine. Mr. C taught me how to use this machine during the Advanced Manufacturing II class, and it is probably one of my favorite machines at Olympic.” -Jenny Dam, Olympic High School AOE
“Ms. Youlette Mezidue goes overboard and beyond for her students. She goes sleepless night making sure her students are prepared for anything that comes their way.” -Antonnie Estinfort, Miami Edison Senior High School AOF
“This motivational woman named Ms. Z, or how I normally call her, Mama Z, really have changed and influence who I am today. Ms. Lauren Zelniker made my high school year an amazing experience. She looks out for her students and goes above and beyond. Every time I get to spend a moment with her, I just get happier and happier because she has a way of surprising people with joy and satisfaction and love. Last year was my last year at North Miami, and when I think of her, I start to remember the good memories we had not only as student and teacher, but also in HOSA and outside of that. Ms. Z I will always love you and remember you!” –Widny Alcime, North Miami Senior High School AOHS
