The scene… The class gathered around a chalk outline, blood splattered across the ground, hair fibers and fingerprints providing evidence for analysis. Community partners walking students through evidence collection. Students engaging in the investigative process and evidence collection with community partners, following historical clues in the form of primary and secondary sources. This is only a small glimpse into the life of a Public Safety student in our lab.
In addition to crime scene analysis, students will walk through history in order to examine the foundation of our rights, the creation of laws, and the agencies tasked with public safety. Students will turn a critical eye on current events using history to provide context and connections. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of effective communication and interpersonal skills, strong academic skills, problem-solving, safety, and the use of technology.
Public safety begins with understanding civic duty and working to better the community as a whole. Local law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, and other community partners will be a part of the classroom in order to bring real-world experience and insight into the topics and themes being discussed. Through projects, students will learn about civic duties, rights, criminal procedure, and how laws are made.
The Public Safety Lab will prepare students for success in the high school public safety pathway. Careers in this pathway include those in corrections, probation, law enforcement, military service, and fire science.
Chanel Martins has worked as a secondary-level English Language Arts teacher in California’s Central Valley for the last ten years. While she currently holds an M.A. in English, she plans to continue her education, both formally and informally, as a lifelong learner. Driven by her passion for using language to learn and grow, she strives to empower others to do the same. Her biggest inspirations come from seeing thriving communities living and acting in respectful, open-minded acceptance of one another in celebration of the diversity of the world in which we all live. When she is not working as an educator, she can often be found reading, writing, or traveling the world.
My name is Pete Gonzales Jr. I am from Fresno, California. I am a graduate of Firebaugh High School, class of 1986. I joined the United States Marine Corps after high school, having served two tours in Operation Desert Storm. After the military, I attended Fresno State University, earning a degree in Political Science. After college, I worked for Fresno County Juvenile Probation before becoming an Academic and Career Advisor for Fresno County EOC. Before becoming a Permanent Substitute Teacher for Madera Unified School District, I also subbed at Fresno and Central Unified School Districts.
The best advice given to me was to “Never give up. Success is built on failures”. The value that most drives me is Character. Values often affect one’s behavior. Good character is about displaying honesty, compassion, and ethical behavior in every aspect of life.
In my free time away from work, I try to spend as much time as I can doing fun activities with my kids. They are getting older and will soon be leaving for college and being on their own.I am inspired daily by anyone I see working hard and trying to
improve themselves. I have travelled around the world several times. Years ago, I would have said my favorite place in the world would be Spain or Italy. Today, my favorite place is anywhere I can be with my kids having a good time.
I am passionate about teaching young people to become self reliant, and teaching them skills that will be useful in life.
My favorite subject in high school was lunch. (lol) Today, it is History and Government.
Madera Unified is where students are challenged to broaden their vision, inspired by meaningful opportunities and strive for authentic achievements.
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