STUDENTS SAVING LIVES
PARK CITY, Utah – Every February, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) community celebrates CTE Month to raise awareness of CTE's role in readying learners for college and career success. Park City High School's Health Science Career Pathway teaches students how to save lives.
PCHS Sophomore, Chase Noteware, moved to Park City last year for the opportunity to enroll in the Health and Science CTE pathway, specifically to have the opportunity to earn an Emergency Medical Response (EMR) certificate from the American Red Cross.
“It’s a really unique program that not a lot of public high schools offer,” said Noteware. “It’s a great way to see if you want to become a medical professional without going to college and declaring a major.”
The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class prepares students to provide immediate lifesaving care to critical patients while exploring careers within the emergency medical services system. EMRs have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide interventions while waiting for additional emergency services to arrive.
“My favorite part of EMR is the in-class labs and the hands-on projects Mrs. Shaw plans for us,” said Noteware. “Activities such as learning to assess someone's vitals has helped boost my confidence going into this career field.”
Second-year teacher Meagan Shaw graduated from PCHS in 2011 and went on to enroll at the University of Utah. She earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and teaching. Additionally, while completing her studies, she worked for Park City District as a paraprofessional for English Language Learners.
“I had so many amazing opportunities when I went to school here, and when I went off to college and ventured out into the world, I became interested in teaching and wanted to return to my roots,” said Shaw. “I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to come back and share my experience with PCHS students because many of these classes didn't exist when I went to school here. It's amazing to see how much our CTE programs have grown.”
Students enrolled in the Health and Science pathway have the opportunity to take courses such as Medical Terminology, EMR, EMT, Exercise Science, Sports medicine, Nurse Assistant, Biotechnology, and PCHS will offer Physical Therapy as a course next year.
“I want to be able to share the career that I love, and for me, that's sports medicine and emergency responder training, said Shaw. “Helping my students find their passions is what really drives me in my teaching.”
Students who take several CTE classes in the same pathway can become a completer in a CTE pathway. CTE pathway completers earn a cord to wear at graduation.
“I am absolutely amazed at how many pathways we are opening up, and we have such a fantastic community that supports these programs, including the Park City Education Foundation and other entities,” said Shaw.
Thanks to the community for the overwhelming support of the 2021 school district projects bond, students will have dedicated CTE spaces to learn these skills, rather than in PCHS hallways.
