Reagan students shave teacher’s head after rising to challenge
Alex Castaneda is a cut above the rest. He put his hair on the line during a challenge with his Reagan High School phlebotomy students. If they passed their Phlebotomy Technician Certification program, they could shave his head. When it was time to keep his promise, Castaneda brought the clippers.
"Back in January, I made a commitment to my students," said Castaneda. "I told them if they all passed the certification program, they could cut off my hair. Although they have not all passed, I am so very proud of their dedication and commitment to improving themselves that I am going to honor my promise and allow students to cut off my hair. With that said, let the sheering begin!"
One by one, students in Castaneda's class took turns shaving his head. The makeover is a testament to his students' hard work and dedication during an incredibly challenging year.
"Healthcare can be difficult, but by tying in biology, physics, and chemistry, the students begin to understand how some of these previously learned concepts apply to the human body," said Castaneda. "They start to put together pieces of the puzzle and start to think logically and critically about how the body works and how abnormal findings are produced. When they understand how all these concepts work together, learning becomes more intuitive and the knowledge they obtained is theirs forever."
The Health Science Pathway offers students a jump start on many healthcare careers. During its first year, 58 North East ISD students passed their Phlebotomy Technician Certification test. The Healthcare Diagnostics pathway also introduces students to careers like Radiologic Technologists, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Magnetic Resonance Image Technologists and Nuclear Medicine Technologists.
