While some students sit in traditional math and English classes, law and public safety students perform real-life scenarios to prepare them for stressful situations they may encounter in the field.
Law and public safety teacher John Glass worked in firefighting and EMS, but when the opportunity arose for him to become a teacher, he decided to take the job.
“Partly because my kids were starting high school here, and it was exciting to start a brand new program,” Glass said.
Glass sets up many different scenarios for his students and allows them to use law and public safety tools to get a real-life experience of what it is like to work in the field. They use fire extinguishers, airsoft guns and patient assessment to get a feel of many different situations. Glass feels that these hands-on activities help draw people’s interest in the class.
“I think it’s their interest in public safety, and there’s a lot of hands-on,” Glass said.
Glass feels that the students enjoy the law enforcement unit the most, but for him, it is teaching the college EMT class. Overall though, the most rewarding part of teaching the program for him is making an impact on students.
“Former students call me back and tell me that the class made an impact,” Glass said.
The class prepares students for a career in the field by doing job shadowing, having guest speakers and learning through the scenarios.
The program did not fail to draw students’ attention. Sophomore Lizzy Demouey and juniors Madi Hennis and Anna Frances Smith all decided to sign up for the program.
Demouey was inspired to join the program because of her future career goal.
“I want to become a lawyer when I grow up, and I just want to learn the legal system and how to be there when someone needs it most,” Demouey said.
She was also inspired by her older brother, who is a firefighter.
Demouey enjoys being outside of the classroom and the personal experiences the program brings. She also enjoys being in the opposite role and playing the suspect.
“Seeing what you’re up against and seeing what you have to go through while being the person they’re arresting is really interesting,” Demouey said.
Demouey hopes this class can give her knowledge for law school and maybe even find a career outside of legal education. She feels that it helps her be ready for the unknown and understand how to always be active and ready. She also feels that it can be helpful to know right from wrong and to be knowledgeable about law and public safety at her age.
“To realize that we can’t get away with our little actions that we think we can get away with…Like, every little thing that you do can be found out,” Demouey said.
Hennis is another dedicated student. She was inspired to join the program by her mom, a police officer. She was also inspired to join the class to get experience for her future career goal, to become a flight nurse.
She feels that Glass makes the class engaging and fun by doing scenarios and even playing as the patient. Hennis hopes to leave the class with the same amount of knowledge as Glass so she can succeed in her career. She would like to tell other students that it can be helpful in deciding their future career.
“It helps you make connections to help you when you decide your career path,” Hennis said.
She also feels that it is important to understand everything they do behind the scenes at her age.
Lastly, Smith is another student who enjoys the law and public safety class. She was inspired to join the class to boost her knowledge for her career, becoming a flight medic. Smith knew this class would help set her up for her future.
“I knew that I would be able to get things that would move me forward,” Smith said.
She loves how her teacher does many hands-on activities instead of notes, and how he helps push her out of her comfort zone. Her favorite activity they do is skills.
Smith hopes this class will set her up with the skills to help others in the future. She also feels that it is important to know the physical and mental strain it takes on a person.
“It takes a lot mentally and physically, but it’s worth it when you get to help others,” Smith said.
She would like to tell other students that the class helps you make good connections and it is beneficial to know how to handle emergencies in the future.
Overall, Glass feels that the students make the program successful and is amazed at their abilities.
