Nice to Meet Ya: Laura Milner

The year 2020, who would’ve thought? The whole world is in chaos due to disease. Hospitals filled beyond capacity and patients being kept in hallways and even the hospitals’ gift shops. Health care providers were in constant need and still are. Charting a map into the future, Dripping Springs High School must have had a crystal ball as courses and programs for the students are offered. Not only that but with certifications at the end of course completion.

Computer and Technology Education (CTE) Chair, Lauren Milner is in her third year administering the programs. The Medical and Health Science Academy is one of the programs that are needed and preparing students in the medical field.

“The state of Texas is primarily responsible… (They) saw the need for career and technology education to evolve. This is something new. There’s always been woodshop and auto repair and those are good programs,” she continued.

“But something more professional was needed… the CTE world has grown to include different crafts, opportunities to gain knowledgeable skills and give them to include the skills for the real world, including resume writing, their dress, and their behavior in a professional setting.”

Milner is married to Jess and they have two children. They met while serving in the army. Lauren was named, “Teacher of the Year” by the Dripping Springs ISD and the local VFW. She, a North Carolina girl, is in her sixth year teaching at DSHS and the sponsor of the school's ROTC Club.

She is an Army Veteran who holds a bachelor's degree in International Business/French from St. Joseph's College, a master's degree in Sports and Health Sciences from American Military University, and an MBA from Trident University.

Not only that, she’s also a part-time personal trainer at the YMCA. As a personal trainer, she obtained the skills while working part-time in college, to make money while going to school. Having learned from experience, she is grateful for the programs. “A lot of students are college bound, (certification) will get your foot in the door and something to build in for your future roles.

”We’re able to give kids so much leverage for their next step… more for marketing yourself in the future.” Gaining skills that can be used for employment, right out of high school is one big plus for the program, and “go right to work in the community.”

But also getting the skills and basic knowledge can lead to even bigger things with dual courses offered at ACC, to gain accreditation while building a resume.

Programs include: Pharmacy Tech, Biotechnology, Certified Personal Trainer, and Certified Medical Assistant. CTE has five teachers, eleven classes and about 500 students enrolled in the classes.. “We’ve been at the right place and right time. Students register for the classes, that’s how we’ve grown.” For example, each class has specific knowledge that is mastered.

“A Certified Medical Assistant, which has 25 students, they are able to work in clinical settings and complete medical types of tasks, record keeping, general things such as setting up trays, cleaning up after and other tasks.” This is one of the classes and certification in conjunction with ACC.

Internships are also a big part of the programs. Pharmacist and other internships are offered. Working in a real environment, locally, is a great way to find out if that is what you are really interested in. The DSHS classes really set up students for success in the real world.

“This is hopefully the future. CTE will grow and gain more visibility, we hope to add an EMT course. We’ve had a lot of success with the other classes… we’re new at it ourselves, but we get better every year,” Milner said.