Over RJ Reynolds High School’s hundred years of excellence in education, many teachers have inspired the future generations through their engaging and thought-provoking lessons. Over her decade of instruction amid the pines, Fakhria Luna has cemented herself into this group of leaders. Currently teaching AP World History, Latin American studies, and Sociology, Luna has an array of experience in social sciences. 

 A combination of receiving advice from her father and following her lifelong passion for sharing history, Luna pursued a career in education.

 “Well, I went to college initially to become a lawyer and then my dad talked me out of it,” Luna said. “He said, it’s the kind of living where you turn lies into truths and truths into lies. He was a history teacher, and I always loved history.”

 Now a seasoned educator with 19 years of experience, Luna hopes students in her classes take away critical thinking skills and the ability to see different points of view.

 “I hope I open students’ minds into various points of view, especially when it comes to history,” Luna said. “For them to be able to critically look at different primary sources and, you know, when we say like, one man’s freedom fighter, is another man’s terrorist. So I want students to be able to see that there’s more sides to a story.”

It is these curious students and her incredible colleagues that make being an RJR teacher so special to Luna. 

“It [being an RJR teacher] means teaching wonderful, diverse, talented students, and working with a great group of people who also love being here,” Luna said.

Luna not only motivates her students in the classroom through her history lessons but also as a female in modern America. As the month of March is dedicated to celebrating women and their momentous achievements, Luna views these 31 days as extremely important. Luna is reminded daily of these trailblazing accomplishments women made that allow her to live her current lifestyle.  

“I tell my students all the time I wouldn’t be able to vote if it wasn’t for the women leaders who went out there and fought and went on hunger strikes,” Luna said. “I wouldn’t be able to own a house right now if it wasn’t for people like the great RBG. I wouldn’t be able to teach at Reynolds High School as a woman of color if it wasn’t for women fighting for integration.” 

Touching the RJR community as not only an educator, but an organizer of freshman orientation and former history department chair, Luna now is transitioning to become an administrator. Here she plans to continue her mission to inspire future leaders and change the lives of others. 

“I’m going to graduate from App State next year,” Luna said. “So I will be a teacher here for another year. After that, I hope to continue to make an impact as an assistant principal or principal somewhere.”

It is the contributions Luna has made over her time at RJR that make her not only an incredible educator but an inspirational woman.