The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is a NAF Distinguished academy. As a distinguished academy it prepares the students with certifications and real world internship experiences.
Meet our AOHT Team
Mrs. Milagros Perez has been a teacher with Miami Sunset Senior High School for 22 years and is focused on preparing students for careers in Hospitality and Tourism, as well as prepare them for the AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature Exams. She has 22 years teaching Spanish and 15 years teaching Hospitality and Tourism. Mrs. Perez worked in the Hospitality Industry before becoming a teacher, so she has invaluable real-life experience in the area that she shares with her students. Mrs. Perez spearheaded the adoption and implementation of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, following the blueprints established by the National Academy Foundation. She is responsible for instructing educational material to ensure students are trained to work in the Hospitality Industry and ensure that students are on track for graduation meeting all requirements of the Hospitality program and academically. She ensures that students take certification examinations in accordance with their future career plans. She monitors student’s internship readiness and supervises students working on internships during the school year and the SYIP (Summer Youth Internship Program) in the Summer. She serves as a liaison with Miami Dade County’s Career and Technical Education Department to ensure that students are receiving the best college and career orientations for their future and scholarship opportunities.
She also teaches Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Advance Placement Spanish Literature courses. She strives to increase participation in the advanced level courses and make them accessible to ALL students.
Mrs. Perez has the following industry certifications:
- WordPress Specialist Certification
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business
- Social Media Strategist
- Microsoft Office PowerPoint Specialist Certification
- Certified ServSafe Instructor and Register Examination Proctor
- Conflict Resolution Specialist through Beacon Educator
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
- Certified Hospitality Instructor
- Adobe Certified Associate Dreamweaver
- Adobe Certified Associate Photoshop
- Professional Customer Service Certification
- Marketing Certification
Volunteer participation- Zoo Miami 5K – Benefiting Baptist Hospital, Make a Wish Foundation 5K, Superintendent’s 5K, Miracle Network Hospital Sponsor through various activities at Walt Disney World, Give Back Day Sponsored by RCCL to help beautify Miami schools.
Mrs. Perez belongs to the following organizations:
- National Academy Foundation Advisory Board.
- Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
- International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators.
- AmericanAssociationof Teachersof Spanishand Portuguese.
- DECA
Mrs. Perez’s Awards and Recognitions:
- Teacher of the Year Miami Sunset Senior High School – 2014
- Hospitality and Tourism Management Program Teacher of the Year for the State of Florida – 2013
- Honorary Alumna Certification from Johnson and Wales University for Educational Excellence – 2013
- Educational Excellence Award from the NAF Academy of Hospitality and Tourism by MDCPS Schools of Choice – 2012
- National Janet Linton Leadership Award nominee by the National Academy Foundation – June 2012
- Rookie Teacher of the Year for Miami Sunset Senior High School – 2004
| Milagros Perez | AOHT Lead Teacher | msperez@dadeschools.net |
Academy Completions Guidelines
Becoming an academy completer at Sunset earns students certifications, college credit and scholarships.
The following criteria are needed to become a full completer at Miami Sunset:
- Complete all State Florida graduation requirements
- Complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service
- Have a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0
Certifications
AOHT Industry
Culinary Industry Certifications
Curriculum
Major Description:
The purpose of this major is to prepare students for employment and/or advanced training in the hospitality industry.
Industry Certification:
- Hospitality and Tourism Management Certification (Two-part certification, requires Internship)
- WebPress Certified Editor
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification
- ServSafe Certification (Certified Professional Food Manager).
Courses:
- Principles of Hospitality & Tourism and Geography for Hospitality and Tourism
This is a required course for new students. This course covers the history, components, organizational development, marketing, and expansion of tourism as a major world industry. Students begin to compile their professional portfolios.
- HTMP I / Technology for Hospitality
This course provides the students with a solid background in hotels operations and procedures. Students will learn about organization and structure of different types of hotels. They will study the different kinds of hotel divisions and its departments. They will know accounting principles, reservations, registration, scheduling, etc. as it relates to the day-to-day hotel operations. This course will serve as an introduction for a successful career in the lodging industry.
- HTMP II / Entrepreneurship for Hospitality
This course will continue enriching students regarding hotel operations and the lodging industry in general. Students will learn about Leadership and Management, Sales and Marketing, and Food and Beverage Services. Upon completion of this course and after passing the required examinations students will be completers of the Lodging Management Program.
Employability skills gained through the first three courses of the academy prepare students for the summer Internship. Students will interview with their completed professional portfolios.
- Summer (going to 10th, 11th and/or 12th grade):
Hospitality and Tourism Internship: This honors course is offered during the summer. Each student, who qualifies and meets the requirements, is placed in an employment position related to the field of tourism for a first hands on look at the industry. Students are compensated and receive credit for required course.
- Travel and Tourism Marketing and Event Planning
This course provides the students with an opportunity to use the internship experiences to further learn how a business is managed from various perspectives such as: budgeting, personnel, public relations and legal issues. An out-of-state field study completes the study of hospitality and tourism marketing.
Scholarships:
Students in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism throughout Miami-Dade have consistently win industry scholarships. All students are encouraged to excel in school to be potential candidates for these prestigious awards. All seniors will be required to complete all scholarship applications and qualifying essays through their English classes.
The following is a partial list of scholarships made available through the Academy:
- FIU – Carnival Gold Scholars
- Jessie Blackman
- International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators
- St. Thomas University
- Johnson and Wales University
- Tourism Advisory Board
- Miami-Dade College
ACADEMY CLUBS
DECA is an integral part of the operation of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism. It is the way by which the students volunteer for school and community service activities, and other pertinent needs of the program and school. Meetings may be held more than once a month as deemed necessary by the club sponsor. The time and date of the meetings will be determined by the sponsor and officers.