Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Woolfolk.
Hi Tony, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into education and student engagement is rooted in my own experience as a student who did not always feel like he fit in, yet was always confident in who I was. Growing up, I was often the eccentric kid, wearing sweater vests and bowties, and moving between St. Louis and Houston during my middle and high school years shaped how I understand students who are still trying to find their place.
As a student at Beaumont High School, my energy sometimes showed up as mischief, but those experiences taught me important lessons about accountability and growth. Over time, I found my way into education through athletics, coaching football, and working closely with students in both academic and extracurricular settings. I went on to work in admissions at St. Mary’s High School and later in student engagement at Vianney High School, where I really began to understand how strong relationships can transform school culture.
In 2024, I became the first Director of Student Life and Engagement at Lift For Life Academy. Today, my work brings together my experiences as a student, an athlete, and an educator to help create environments where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to be themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, and many of my challenges are what drive my work today. As a student, I struggled with discipline, identity, and belonging. Athletics became a place where I learned structure, accountability, and perseverance, lessons that continue to guide how I lead.
This year, those lessons came to life in a powerful way with our Lift For Life Academy football team. We made it to the state championship game and earned second place despite not having a home field to host a single game all season. We traveled every week, and I started calling our team the Road Warriors. I teach our players that the lack of a field does not define them. It teaches them grit, resilience, and how to compete with pride no matter the circumstances.
At the same time, the experience has reinforced why access and opportunity matter. We are currently fundraising to build an athletic field for our students so they can experience the pride, stability, and sense of home that comes with having a place to call their own. For our students, a field is more than a place to play. It represents equity, belief, and the message that their hard work is worth investing in.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As Director of Student Life and Engagement at Lift For Life Academy, I focus on building a strong, connected school culture through intentional student engagement at both the middle school and high school levels. My work includes coordinating schoolwide events like First Fridays (a monthly pep rally assembly with student-led games), leading student leadership initiatives, and mentoring middle school students who have experienced disciplinary challenges.
What sets my work apart is the belief that students should help shape the culture of their school, not just participate in it. Engagement is not about entertainment alone. It is about creating spaces where students feel heard, respected, and excited to be part of their community. I am most proud when students feel connected to their school and confident in who they are, because that sense of belonging impacts everything from attendance to academic success.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have been fortunate to work alongside mentors and colleagues who believed in me and supported this work. Dr. Katrice Noble, LFLA’s Deputy Director, played an important role in my journey, first as an educator during my own high school years at Beaumont and later as a leader who recognized my ability to connect with students and encouraged me to bring that energy to Lift For Life Academy.
I also credit the principals and leadership teams across the Academy for their collaboration and trust. Their shared commitment to a student-centered culture has allowed engagement efforts to grow beyond individual events and become a core part of the Lift For Life experience. Most importantly, I credit our students. Their resilience, creativity, and willingness to show up every day are the reasons this work matters.
Pricing:
- https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/h5PqTQMtOscWLGCP4IfHDw
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liftforlifeacademy.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftforlifeacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liftforlifeacademy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lift-for-life-academy/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/liftforlifeacademy
