The AlumNow series showcases former students’ post-graduation successes.
We recently caught up with J’Nae Addison who is a Higher Education Advisor at Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet. Read about her educational journey at Dallas ISD and how her teachers impacted her to give back to her community.
What high school did you graduate from and what year did you graduate?
Skyline High School in 2016.
What are your responsibilities as a Higher Education Advisor?
I prepare youth academically and socially to pursue their post-secondary goals and aspirations. I assist with college applications, scholarships, financial aid and so much more.
What are some career or personal highlights/accomplishments?
Finding out that my students at Lincoln High School received a scholarship that my counterparts or I assisted them with. Hearing students say “thank you” or “I appreciate you” is always an accomplishment in my book. There’ve been multiple times where students said I was their favorite advisor and that warms my heart!
What made your Dallas ISD education unique?
I moved from New Orleans, Louisiana to Dallas, TX in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina when I was 7 or 8 years old. I missed out on a few weeks from school because of the change, but I ended up going to Birdie Alexander and Charles Rice Elementary. I was constantly in the counselor’s office crying because it was a different scenery and I had no idea was what going on in my life. My mother ended up teaching at John B. Hood Middle School so I started attending C.A. Tatum Elementary and I started to grow at that school.
I played sports throughout middle school all the way up to my sophomore year of college at Langston University. Not only was I playing volleyball a sport that kept me sane, but I discovered a love for tennis and made it to the varsity tennis team as a freshman. Dallas ISD provided me with teachers that cared about my studies and my well being especially because I was more introverted than my peers. Something unique is that Skyline High School used to have “Education is Freedom” as a college access provider and now I work with high school students for that same organization.
Who was your favorite Dallas ISD teacher or what was your favorite course, and why?
My favorite teacher was Ms. Walker who was my Fashion Merchandising teacher at Skyline High School in the Fashion Cluster. Ms. Walker always had a welcoming environment, she never sugar-coated herself, and she brought out the best in her students. I never thought I would be able to present certain things if it wasn’t for her class. Ms. Walker was understanding as well. She gave constructive feedback and prepared my peers and I for the future.
What advice, if any, would you offer to students who are interested in your career field?
While you are in high school, you are experiencing firsthand how to fill out a scholarship and where to find them, completing your financial aid, or applying to schools. When you enter the advisor field, you already have an idea of how to help your students because you experienced it for yourself.
1. Make connections and don’t be afraid to speak.
2. Be confident in all you do no matter how challenging the tasks may be.
3. Always believe in yourself because it’s so easy to doubt your abilities.
4. Nobody is perfect! Give yourself grace sometimes.
