The LPHS Principles of Healthcare pathway offers students experiential learning opportunities in the medical field.

Principles of Healthcare offers extensive  useful information that can help students with employment opportunities. It also gives them a vision of what that field is like and how to be responsible.

“This program gives them a place to discover their interests and strengths while learning the responsibility that comes with caring for another person,” Mrs. Hughes, Principles of Healthcare teacher, said.

The Principles of Healthcare is a series of four classes--Principles of Healthcare, Medical Terminology, Healthcare Specialist, Healthcare Specialist Capstone, and Healthcare Work-Based Learning--that prepare students for a potential career in healthcare. They all have dual credit available.

The classes are using more simulations and clinical communication. Because of the quality programming, the pathway has grown from a small number of students to over 120 students in the last few years.

“The pathway has become more hands-on and focused on connecting classroom knowledge to patient care,” Hughes said.

The pathway received a grant,  which helped them add necessary equipment they have at Boston. With the grant, Hughes was able to get an Anatomage Table along with tablets.

“We also have equipment for learning skills such as taking vital signs, performing EKGs, conducting hearing and vision screening and new classroom setups for the CNA lab and a mock doctor's office. These resources help bring classroom learning to life,” Hughes said.

Students can earn their CPR certification and dual credit for taking this Pathway. If they choose to continue their education and take Medical Terminology and Healthcare Specialist, students can walk away with their Indiana State Department of Health certification.

“Last year we had 24 students earn their CNA certification through our program,” Hughes said.

Students who are interested in this pathway can sign up for Principles of Healthcare,  but if they want to move higher up, they will need to fill out an application.

The LPHS Teaching program offers students real-world experience in the classroom during their senior year.

Cadet Teaching is a two-semester course that pairs a student up with the teacher of his or her choice in the LPCSC district. It gives students a chance to see and experience the everyday life of a teacher.

“I think this pathway is very helpful and insightful for students who want to be a teacher or work with children in any capacity. It is also very project-based and collaborative, so students gain a lot of skills,” Mrs. Ramer, Teaching Pathway teacher, said.

The Teaching Pathway is a series of four classes--Principles of Teaching, Child and Adolescent, Teaching and Learning, Cadet Teaching--that prepare students for a potential career in education.

“I think it helps students learn more about the foundations of our education system & gives them a greater appreciation for their school and teachers,” Ramer said.

Cadet Teaching allows students to be able to go back and spend time with the teacher who impacted their childhood.

“I chose my teacher because she was my 4th grade teacher! She was a main element of my childhood,” Veda Nelson, senior teacher, said.

Many former students who were in this pathway have moved on to having their own classrooms.

“Several of my former students are teachers now, some even in LaPorte! I also have many former students that are currently in college studying to be teachers,” Ramer said.

Ramer has been teaching at LPHS for 12 years and is also a part of the Family and Consumer Science department.

“I seriously think I have the best job ever! Being a teacher who gets to teach about teaching & the world of education has been so rewarding. I have found a new love for this profession through teaching about it!” Ramer said.