Listen to the interview on the Public School Podcast
RAPID CITY, SD — Central High School teacher Brendon Sato is helping students explore careers in health care through hands on classroom experiences, industry partnerships and a proposed international travel opportunity focused on learning about health systems abroad. During a recent episode of the Public School Podcast, Sato explained that his Intro to Health courses introduce students to a wide range of medical careers while preparing them for advanced opportunities such as the district’s Certified Nursing Assistant program, where juniors and seniors can earn state certification before graduating high school.
Sato brings more than 25 years of health care experience to the classroom after working as a laboratory scientist in areas including blood banking, genetics, hematology and chemistry. He said his transition into education came after looking for a career that would better align with his family’s needs while still allowing him to teach and mentor others. Four years later, he continues to combine his passion for health care and education by giving students real world experiences that go beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Through guest speakers, demonstrations and hands on activities, students are exposed to careers ranging from nursing and medicine to dentistry and chiropractic care. Sato said he prefers bringing professionals into the classroom because students benefit from hearing directly from people working in the field. Current projects include learning vital signs and practicing laparoscopic surgery techniques using training boxes that help students understand the coordination and skills required in medical procedures.
Sato is also exploring a future student trip to Great Britain and Scotland focused on health care. Inspired by other district programs that travel internationally for music, theater and history, he began developing a tour that would allow students to compare health care systems, learn about the history of medicine and gain exposure to different cultures. He said the experience would help students understand how health care is delivered in other countries while encouraging them to think about ways to improve the field in the future.
According to Sato, travel and hands on learning often leave a greater impact than traditional classroom lessons because students can see, hear and experience concepts firsthand. He believes exposing students to different perspectives helps them better understand the world around them and may even influence future career choices. He said some students may discover health care is the right path for them, while others may realize it is not, but learning that before investing years in college can be invaluable.
Sato said he remains passionate about introducing students to health care careers because of the strong need for medical professionals in the region. He hopes his classes help students find meaningful careers while supporting the workforce needs of western South Dakota. As a graduate of public schools himself, Sato said he believes public education plays a critical role in preparing students for the real world and helping them overcome challenges along the way.
