NAF Alumni Month Spotlight: How My Journey Led Me Back to the Classroom

My NAF academy experience at Skyline High School in Dallas, TX, was amazing and truly opened my eyes to new opportunities. Looking back on those days, I recall the strong feeling of family and still keep in touch with Ms. Tomiko Lewis — who is now Manager, Career Cluster Coordinators, at Dallas Independent School District — about all the memories.

In addition to preparing me for the future, my academy afforded me the chance to help others and one of the standout projects I remember was National Passport Day. We created flyers and promoted the importance of obtaining a passport to students and staff throughout the school community. We even volunteered one Saturday at the Passport Office, helping visitors apply for their own passports.

The work-based learning field trips were another highlight, but my favorite was traveling to Great Wolf Lodge. It left such an impression on me that it’s now my favorite place to take my own students on field trips. I was also involved in DECA during high school, and now I act as the DECA Advisor. I reinstated and helped create our school store, which raised over $10,000 to support competitive events, leadership training, membership dues, and travel costs. This initiative has enhanced leadership skills, camaraderie, and community service opportunities for our DECA members.

I graduated in 2013 and was awarded a NAF scholarship that helped to lower my college tuition cost. After leaving my high school’s doors, I pursued a degree in Public Relations with a minor in Journalism. My initial plan was to either become a professor or teacher, or work for a Public Relations firm, but as many of us know, plans can change. Thankfully, things have unfolded quite well. I love teaching and being able to guide my students toward many of the same opportunities I had. Currently, I’m in graduate school and I’m on track to complete my master’s degree in Educational Administration in May 2025. I am also planning a wedding and will get married next July.

In terms of coming back to NAF, I find it to be incredibly exciting to be teaching in the very program I was once a part of and enjoyed so much! Funny enough, right after college, I was working in insurance and quickly realized it wasn’t for me, a few months in – and that was ok! It taught me that I needed to do something different and gave me a push. I reached out to Ms. Lewis and asked if she knew of any opportunities in business or hospitality and she had connected me with the principal at Justin F. Kimball High School, where I started as a permanent substitute for a few months holding my current position. I went through an alternative certification program and became a certified teacher.

I’ve taught every NAF course for Hospitality and Tourism, and I absolutely love the curriculum and how it’s structured to teach. The assignments are engaging and really get the students excited, because it’s not just information, but activities that keep them involved. I always brag about how well the curriculum is designed, especially since the lesson plans are already laid out for us. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’d ever want to teach anything else — NAF has spoiled me!

In addition, I played a key role in helping our campus achieve Katherine Blasik Distinguished, and we’ve maintained that honor since my first year, now going into year seven. I also serve on the Justin F. Kimball High School NAF Advisory Board, as a member of the internship committee.

One of the work-based learning activities that really engages my juniors is when I have seniors come in to share their experiences from their summer internships. They talk about how amazing the opportunities were, the valuable experiences they gained, and the beneficial paychecks they have earned. The seniors love motivating the juniors, giving them a preview of what’s to come, along with the exciting field trips they’ll get to experience. It really inspires the juniors and gets them to look forward to their own internships.

I often find myself thinking about how times have changed yet stayed the same. Students today are still like those from 10 years ago, in that they’re learning and growing with time. However, what I wish I could express to them is the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities available to them now. When I was in the program, we didn’t have access to jobs at major companies like Capital One, where students today are starting at $18–$20 an hour. Back then, I worked as a host at Red Lobster, and that’s the job I used for my internship.

While it is true that the hospitality and tourism industry were indeed heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the road to recovery has brought new challenges and opportunities, I firmly believe that our future leaders can feel confident navigating these changes by being adaptable and embracing innovation. The pandemic highlighted the importance of flexibility and creative problem-solving — whether it’s finding new ways to engage customers, leveraging technology, or prioritizing health and safety measures.

To lead with resilience, the next generation must also be open to continuous learning and development. Staying informed about industry trends, technological advancements, and consumer behaviors will help them adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Additionally, cultivating strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and a focus on teamwork will be crucial in navigating future challenges while maintaining a sense of community and purpose. Resilience comes from the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities, and I believe that the workforce of tomorrow is more than capable of doing just that.