From a young age, Alisa M. had a clear sense of her interests and where she wanted to go. What she needed was the right environment to nurture those passions, strengthen her time management skills, and open doors to new opportunities.
In just two years at Visions, she has done exactly that—diving into a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway, working with an enrichment vendor to sharpen her artistic talents, and building a personalized learning schedule that supports both her goals and her growth.
Now a junior in Visions’ Independent Study Academy, Alisa is not only thriving academically, but also giving back as a CTE Student Ambassador in the Game Design program—mentoring her peers while continuing to pursue excellence and balance in her own journey.
“Even before I came to Visions, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in technology or software,” Alisa shared.
Once she enrolled, stepping into the Game Design CTE pathway felt like a natural next move—but what she discovered went far beyond the basics of game design.
“I had so much more fun in this class than I could have imagined,” she said. “Not only did it deepen my knowledge of video game design, but it also opened my eyes to so many opportunities in technology and potential careers.”
After completing her first year, Visions teacher Kim Grant encouraged Alisa to take on a new challenge: becoming a CTE Student Ambassador. In this role, she mentors first-year students in the program while building leadership skills alongside peers from other CTE pathways.
“I found it to be a remarkably rewarding and fun experience,” Alisa said. “Not only did I get to help other students, but I also reinforced what I learned in year one by answering questions and working through problems again.”
One of the most meaningful parts of her experience has been the sense of community among the ambassadors. “Each ambassador brings something different to the table, and we can all use our skills to support each other and the students,” she explained.
Beyond collaboration, it’s the connections she’s built with her mentees that stand out most. “It’s been a heartwarming experience getting to know each of them,” Alisa said. “Spending time together during our meetings truly brightens my day.”
One of Alisa’s favorite parts of being a student at Visions has been the ability to design a schedule that truly works for her. With the opportunity to personalize her learning, she’s strengthened her time management skills—making steady progress toward her academic goals while also carving out time for activities that support her personal and mental well-being.
That balance has made a meaningful difference, allowing her to stay focused, motivated, and in control of her learning journey.
Along the way, Alisa has also built strong, supportive relationships with her teachers. She regularly connects with them when she has questions or needs extra support, creating a learning environment where she feels confident and encouraged. “Going through school feels much easier knowing I can get help whenever I need it,” she shared.
Her teachers play a big role in making that experience positive. “My teachers always manage to make every class special and interesting in its own way, making learning engaging no matter what.”
Beyond building strong time management skills, Alisa has embraced the many opportunities Visions offers to explore her interests.
Last school year, she partnered with an enrichment vendor for art lessons—an experience that allowed her to grow both creatively and personally. “Not only did I learn a lot, but I also used my school-provided funds to expand my art skills and pursue something I was interested in,” she shared.
At the heart of it all is her love for creativity. “Mostly, my favorite hobbies are those that let me express my creativity,” Alisa said.
Whether it’s drawing, painting, or scrapbooking, Alisa enjoys bringing her ideas to life through art. She also expresses herself through singing, baking, and of course, video games. Outside of her creative pursuits, she stays active and balanced through weightlifting, hiking, traveling with her family, and reading.
As Alisa looks ahead to her senior year at Visions, she’s already laying the groundwork for what comes next. Focused and driven, she’s taking advantage of every opportunity to get a head start on her future, including dual enrollment.
“I am slowly completing my general education requirements for community college, and by the end of my high school career, I will have completed about 1-1.5 years of college,” she shared.
After graduation, Alisa plans to finish her general education courses before transferring to a California State University, where she hopes to pursue a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Graphic Design. Along the way, she’s committed to continuing to build her skills and explore new opportunities within the technology field.
When offering advice to other students considering Visions, Alisa highlights two key ingredients for success: time management and asking for support when needed. “Visions has a great team ready and willing to help you succeed!” she said.
She also emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of your learning:
“Time and workload management is a crucial skill to have and continue to grow—not just in school, but in building a strong work ethic and opening up future opportunities,” Alisa explained. “Visions provides the tools, but you have to use them.”
