Rubama: Maia Chaka is ready for another season as an NFL referee. But the former Virginia Beach teacher is still impacting local schools.

The NFL begins another season on Thursday when the Los Angeles Rams play host to the Buffalo Bills, followed by a full slate of games Sunday.

This week also marks the second season for Maia Chaka as an NFL referee.

Chaka, a Norfolk State grad and former Virginia Beach educator, became the first Black woman hired by the NFL as an on-field official when she got the phone call in March of 2021. She wears No. 100 and will be a line judge this season on a crew headed by referee Clay Martin, according to footballzebras.com.

Chaka’s call to the NFL came from Wayne Mackie, who was the NFL’s vice president of officiating evaluation and development, and her mentor. Over the years, he watched her and encouraged her as she progressed through training to become an NFL official. Sadly, he died a year later.

Chaka will never forget him and what he meant to her career.

Chaka started her officiating career working high school games in Hampton Roads. She’s also worked collegiately in the Pac-12 Conference and Conference USA. In 2014, she and Thomas were the first female officials to work a Football Bowl Subdivision game — the Fight Hunger Bowl between Brigham Young and Washington. She’s also worked in the XFL and Alliance of American Football.

And even when she got the promotion to the NFL, she never forgot where she came from and those who helped her along the way.

She used that same drive and passion in the classroom, where she spent 15 years as an educator in Virginia Beach.

That’s why she launched a nonprofit: Make Meaningful Change.

It’s a community engagement organization with a focus on providing educational enrichment services to disadvantaged youth, according to Chaka. Her organization made its official launch last week. It included a fundraiser to recognize and acknowledge the educators in Hampton Roads for their tireless efforts and dedication to the students in the community.

The evening gave educators and guests the opportunity to participate in challenges that boost morale, encourage team building, and enhance motor skills. Funds raised from the event benefitted educational and entrepreneurial programs aimed at youth and educators presented annually by MMC.

The goal of MMC is to develop youth regardless of their socio-economic and academic status; preparing students for real-life scenarios, through unique, hands-on approaches that yield sustaining skills that aren’t always taught inside the classroom.

“My journey in life has not been typical,” Chaka said recently. “I’ve gained success through the support of educators and community leaders who invested their time in me at a young age. I am committed to being a servant leader and I want to bridge the gap between cultures, local businesses, and school districts while also providing services and resources to youth who may not be in a position financially, or demographically to excel in whatever it is they are passionate about.

“While deciding to make the investment in our youth, through MMC,” she added, “I want to recognize that educators will be supported through our organization as well, which is why I felt it appropriate to kick off our launch with an event focused on them as they enter a new school year.”

After graduating from Norfolk State in 2006, Chaka began her career in education as a health and physical education teacher at Renaissance Academy in Virginia Beach.

In 2008, she founded the G.E.M.S. (Girls with Empowering Minds and Spirits), a club designed to promote self-esteem, academic achievement, and educational encouragement.

In 2021, she accepted the position of Student Success Coordinator with An Achievable Dream Academy.

Along the way, she’s received numerous honors and awards, including the Virginia Beach Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award (2014), the Virginia Beach Public Schools I Make a Difference Award (2019) and the Virginia Beach Central Academy Reading Teacher of the Year Award (2009). She also was recognized by Black Enterprise magazine for its 40 under 40 (2021) and was the ABC World News Person of the Week (2021).

She just wants to make a difference. It’s that same dedication that helped her reach the NFL.

“Maia’s years of hard work, dedication and perseverance — including as part of the NFL Officiating Development Program — have earned her a position as an NFL official,” Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, said in a release when she was promoted in 2021.

The same traits were mentioned about her days in the classroom in a story that ran in 2014.

“She’s one of those teachers who really and truly has a passion for working with kids who are at-risk for whatever reason,” said a Renaissance assistant principal. “When she comes to work, she’s here for the kids.”

Chaka hopes to continue to inspire others to follow her — whether it’s in the classroom or to the NFL.

“It’s an accomplishment for all women, my community and for my culture,” Chaka said after she was promoted to the NFL. “I just think it’s great just to have more representation, positive representation of women of color. That’s real important, especially for the young girls growing up, just to see as much positive representation as they can.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com. Twitter @LHRubama