I am proud to shine the spotlight on Center High School teacher, Walt Anderson, and the two incredible opportunities he provides Center High students. Pharmacy Tech and 911 Dispatch are programs that enable students to graduate high school and immediately enter the workforce with the training required to start a career as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher or a Pharmacy Technician.

Both programs were started by former CHS teacher, Holland Myers. Upon Holland’s retirement, Walt took the reins and continued building these two thriving programs.

Pharmacy Tech is a year-long program open to seniors. The curriculum is online and teaches all aspects of the job of a Pharmacy Technician. Upon completion of the coursework and passage of the final exam, Pharmacy Tech students earn a Pharmacy Technician Certificate. This certificate enables the graduate to secure work in a pharmacy and assist the pharmacist.

9-1-1 Dispatch is a year-long program open to juniors and seniors. This program trains students to dispatch 9-1-1 calls for police, medical and fire emergencies. The curriculum provides instruction and puts students into real-life emergency scenarios so they can practice putting their new learning into action. Students learn communication strategies to deal with irate or out-of-control callers and practice techniques to remain calm in very stressful situations. Students are taught to use phrases and questioning designed to acquire necessary information while de-escalating the stress level. Phrases like, “help is on the way” and questioning like “I need you to help me answer these questions so we know what type of help to send to you” are all purposeful, scripted dialogue.

When a call comes in, the students practice a protocol. The first question a 9-1-1 dispatcher asks is, “What is the address of the emergency?” This is followed up by asking the name of the caller and their phone number. The 4th question in the outlined protocol is to tell the dispatcher exactly what happened. Then, depending on the emergency, there are follow-up questions. These communication techniques not only prepare students for the workplace, but can also be implemented in real-life situations with friends, family, and relationships.

Walt has over 24 years invested in the students, families, and programs at CJUSD. Before moving into the Career Tech field, Walt taught English at Center Jr. High and Center High School. He coached boys basketball at CHS for over 15 years and spent the last 7 years as the voice in the press box at all of the Cougar Football home games.

Walt has three adult children. When he is not at CHS or spending time with his family, he enjoys exercising, sports, and surrounding himself with people and activities that foster happiness.

Over 1,000 CHS students have completed the 9-1-1 Dispatch training since inception. Many are still employed as dispatchers. If your student is interested in learning about the Pharmacy Tech or 9-1-1 Dispatch program, there will be more information available through the CHS Open House Electives Fair in the spring. Thank you, Walt, for your commitment to providing a valuable path for CHS students.

The Center Joint Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. School and district programs, activities and services shall be free from unlawful discrimination based on actual or perceived sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, ethnic group identification, gender, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or sexual harassment in any district service, program and/or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. The district shall promote programs, which ensure that unlawful discriminatory practices are eliminated in all school and district activities.