Future police officers, lawyers and teachers and educators at Round Rock High School are in the midst of training for their prospective professions, taking advantage of hands-on courses as part of the school’s Public Services Academy.
The academy consists of four programs of study — Education and Training, Marine Corps JROTC, Law Enforcement and Law and the Legal System. Through these four programs, students move through each year learning the intricacies of professions in the public sector.
Lindsey McPheeters, former Round Rock law teacher who has since moved into a professional law role within Round Rock ISD administration, said the interactive activities engage students while preparing them for the future.
“We have a interactive curriculum and conduct disaster drills every year,” McPheeters said. “Many days are spent out of our desks and students really get into the lessons and projects because it combines critical thinking and problem solving in a fun way.”
The disaster drills involve a variety of Career and Technical Education (CTE) students including emergency staff through the Health Science Academy and police investigators and lawyers from the Public Services Academy. During the in-school activity, students have the opportunity to put their knowledge to practice and problem solve while working together.
“In high school, students are learning to be advocates for themselves and in the Public Services Academy, they’re learning to be advocates for other people,” said Dustin Binnicker, Round Rock academy specialist. “Whether it’s education, law, or law enforcement, it’s really about learning how to serve the public and relationship building.”
The Public Services Academy also serves as a gateway to try new skills and interests while in high school. Round Rock Sophomore Hannah Eisenberg said she was drawn to the Public Services Academy for the opportunity to get into classrooms and try her hand at teaching.
“I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher so when I found out I was able to take a class where I would be able to go into a classroom, I knew it was the perfect thing for me,” Eisenberg said. “It got me really excited to come to high school.”
