Miami-Dade County NAF Academies Bring Home The Gold

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ NAF (National Academy Foundation) Academies, its students and educators were recognized for their achievements at a recent NAF conference. NAF Next: Experience Learning that Works! is a professional learning experience that ignited innovation and spread effective practices across the NAF network through unique learning and networking opportunities. This all-encompassing conference held in Washington, D.C. on July 16-19 was attended by administrators and teachers from 22 Miami-Dade County public high schools, and post-secondary and industry business partners who support the NAF Academies. Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, congratulated the educators for “…working to ensure that each and every student in a NAF academy receives a world-class education.”

Dr. Lupe Ferran Diaz, Director, School Choice & Parental Options won the Janet Linton Leadership Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions and leadership within the NAF network at the school, district and state level.
Erich De La Fuente, President, EDF Communications and graduate of the first Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT) at Miami Springs Senior High School in 1989 was recognized as a NAF Alumni Honoree who has achieved college/career success and demonstrated an entrepreneurial or philanthropic spirit.
Miami Beach Senior High and Miami Norland Senior High’s AOHT programs were awarded the NAF designation as National Distinguished Academies for the first time – an award that recognizes programs with outstanding practices as exemplars in the network.
Southwest Miami Senior High’s Academy of Finance (AOF) received National Distinguished Academy status for a second consecutive year.
National scholarships were awarded to Ana Medina, graduate of G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School (Kelly IT Resources Academy of Information Technology Scholarship) and Fabiana Ferrer, graduate of Miami Springs Senior High School (Marriott International AOHT Scholarship and American Express Jesse Blackman AOHT Scholarship).

Additionally, Miami’s teachers, administrators, district staff, industry and postsecondary leaders presented at 23 Academy-themed learning seminars, participated in a one-day business intensive and took leadership roles in plenary sessions, Ignite sessions and other events.

About National Academy Foundation
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is a national network of career academies to support the development of America’s youth toward personal and professional success in high school, higher education and throughout their careers. For nearly 30 years, NAF has refined a proven model that provides young people access to industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, under the auspices of School Choice & Parental Options, has 48 NAF programs in 25 senior high schools that encompass the career themes of Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technology, Engineering and Health Sciences.

For additional information about the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ NAF programs, please contact School Choice & Parental Options at 305 995-1922 or http://choice.dadeschools.net.