Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment

Answering the Call: Fulton High Students Get a Head Start on 911 Dispatch Careers

Fulton High School’s Academy of Public Service is giving students a head start on a career in 911 telecommunication through its work-based learning program, where students gain practical skills and earn a Public Safety Telecommunication certification. 

This unique opportunity aligns with the goals of Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies, which are designed to prepare students for high-wage, in-demand jobs following graduation.

For Fulton seniors like Abby Swaggerty, the experience has opened new doors. 

“When we were picking our classes freshman year, the Fire Management Services pathway was new,” Abby said. “I thought it’d be fun to venture out and try new stuff. I took every fire, criminal justice, and health class I could.” 

Now, after a visit to a 911 call center, Abby is inspired to join the field immediately after graduation. 

“This course takes off a full week of training that I won’t have to do after I graduate,” she said. “It definitely gives you a leg up.”

The program not only exposes students to the technical aspects of 911 call-taking and dispatching emergency services but also teaches teamwork, leadership, and communication. 

“Our class is like family,” said senior Emma Ricketts. “We have each other to help with our work.” 

Abby and Emma plan to become 911 dispatchers, motivated by the hands-on learning environment in the Academy of Public Service.

Melissa Boone, Director of Operations at Knox County 911, emphasizes that 911 dispatching is a stable and rewarding career, especially for students who may not be pursuing college. 

“There are more jobs that do not require a college education than there are that do,” she said. “There will always be a need [for 911 dispatchers].” 

Boone, who has spent over 35 years in public safety, shared the APCO certification these students earn is internationally recognized and can give them an edge in job applications.

According to Boone, the training experience covers essential skills in call handling, emergency management systems, and dispatch procedures. 

“I have a few students interested in coming to work with us, and I wish I could take them today,” she added.

For the students involved, this program at Fulton is more than just a class; it’s a pathway into a career that is meaningful, fulfilling the 865 Academies’ goal of preparing graduates for thriving futures in essential community roles.

Career Empowerment and Preparation

Knox County Schools is dedicated to Career Empowerment and Preparation. At KCS, we are committed to preparing students for graduation and life after graduation. By providing students with early and meaningful opportunities to explore colleges and KCS is reimagining the high school experience through the 865 Academies to prepare students for their future after graduation, whether that means enrolling in postsecondary studies; enlisting in service to their country; or finding employment in a high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand profession, with an entrepreneurial mindset. Learn more about this initiative at knoxschools.org/academies.

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment

Sound the Alarm! Fulton Receives Fire Truck from KFD and City of Knoxville

Fire in the hole!

Fulton High School students pursuing Fire Management in the school’s Academy of Public Service were surprised on Wednesday afternoon as a 1997 Emergency One Hurricane Pumper rolled into the parking lot.

The truck was a donation from the Knoxville Fire Department and the City of Knoxville surplus. 

“This truck has served the city for decades, and it’s going to keep doing that – in a different but equally important way: educating the next generation of first responders,” said Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon.

Students on the Fire Management pathway in the 865 Academies take courses in fire prevention and fire science aligned with the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services model. They learn about the regulations, health and safety protocols, communications, and operations that impact emergency responders and will graduate well-prepared to enroll at a training facility, which is the first step for a career in firefighting, fire inspection, arson investigation, or emergency services.

Even before the academy model launched at Fulton, the school had a long history of producing top-notch leaders for the KFD – when the department launched an Explorer Post in 1974 to help students kick-start their firefighting careers, half the inaugural class was from Fulton. 

And, three of the last seven KFD chiefs were Fulton grads!

KFD Deputy Chief Gary Compton said the department has seen a decrease in the number of applications received over the years, so they realize the need to “get the attention of the local kids.” 

“The dedication of this fire truck today reflects our continued commitment to the school and to helping develop future firefighters,” said KFD Fire Chief Stan Sharp. “We hope we can see this program expand to more high schools in the future.”

Organizations interested in partnering with this or other 865 Academies can learn more here.

Kaleigh Walker Career Empowerment, Community Partners

Fulton Students Blitz College Applications With Community’s Help

College Application Month is a great time to build excitement and educating students of all ages about life after high school.

tnAchieves is jumping in to do just that for seniors at Fulton High School by connecting students with representatives from local community colleges, four-year universities, and trade schools who can help them complete applications while also answering any of their questions – big or small.

“It’s about bringing the community inside Fulton to encourage the students and help normalize college. It really eases a lot of the intimidation that often lies within the students about going to college,” said tnAchieves President and CEO Krissy DeAlejandro. “Fulton is so excited. The leadership team and counselors there have been so amazing.”

Last year, every Fulton senior completed a college application, DeAlejandro said, which likely played a role in the school’s increased college-going rate.

In it’s second year, the College Application Blitz has grown from 45 volunteers from schools and organizations to more than 80 this year.

“When I put the call-to-action out, everybody raised their hands and wanted to be there,” DeAlejandro said. “I think there’s a lot of momentum around the 70% by 2024 effort, and people are eager to know what they can do to be helpful.”

Students can apply here for the TN Promise scholarship – which helps them attend any community or technical college in Tennessee, tuition free for two years. The deadline to apply is November 1.

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Supports

Career-Themed Academies Revealed For First Cohort Of The 865 Academies

Photo Credit: John Valentine

The first cohort of The 865 Academies revealed their new career-themed Academies at a celebration hosted by Central High School on Thursday.

The 865 Academies initiative launched in the fall of 2022, and is designed to transform the high school experience in Knox County. The goal is for every KCS graduate to be prepared for enrolling in postsecondary studies; enlisting in service to their country; or finding employment in a high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand profession, with an entrepreneurial mindset.

By establishing career-themed academies, the initiative will create small learning communities within larger schools, allowing students to participate in career exploration activities and take a deep dive into areas of interest while also building strong connections with teachers and other students.

“We’ve got to prepare students, and school systems are uniquely positioned to do that,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “Our job is to have students prepared for when they graduate.”

The celebration was attended by community leaders and industry partners, including Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who said 865Ready graduates will ultimately benefit Knox County and East Tennessee. 

“This is just wonderful to see a really intentional, strategic effort to in some ways customize the student experience,” Jacobs said. “They get the tools and the skills that they need to excel in areas that they’re either naturally drawn to or things that they love.”

Gordon Heins, the president and chairman of the A.G. Heins Company, said industry partnerships positively impact both organizations and students. By working together, KCS students are provided valuable opportunities for work-based learning and career exploration.

“As an employer, we want students to come to us looking for good-paying jobs, and that they’re prepared, and they have the tools,” he said.

Central High School is in the first cohort of The 865 Academies, and Principal Dr. Andrew Brown said student performance in Algebra I has improved, while discipline referrals are down.”

Brown credited Freshman Seminar, a new class that focuses on helping 9th-graders identify interests, aptitudes and professional skills, adding that “we are already beginning to see great results out of that work.

CHS senior Justus Hayes was involved in the early stages of launching the Academies initiative, and is also an entrepreneur. He started his own business, Blended Clothing, and during the ceremony presented shirts to several local leaders. 

“Entrepreneurship is a very important thing to me. I love creating, and bringing new apparel and things to our generation,” Hayes said. “It has been my honor to help build and show my support for something that will impact our current and future generations.”

Student Ambassadors from each school presented their new Academies alongside their principals. Below are the Academies for the first cohort.

 

Carter High School and South-Doyle High School will be joining The 865 Academies as the second cohort in the fall.

For more information on The 865 Academies, visit knoxschools.org/academies.

Josh Flory 865 Academies, Community Partners, Student Success

Fulton Courses Give Insight Into Criminal Justice Careers

Caleb Andrist, who helped launch a Criminal Justice curriculum at Fulton High School,
gives students instruction on how to make an arrest.

As the City of Knoxville builds a $57 million Public Safety Complex in North Knoxville, the facility is expected to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students in a new criminal justice program at Fulton High School.

The program is led by teacher Caleb Andrist, a former law enforcement officer with agencies including the Brentwood Police Department. Three courses are currently offered:

  • Level 1, an introductory course that focuses on policing, the courts and corrections;
  • Level 2, a hands-on course that covers topics including handcuffing, traffic stops and vehicle searches; and
  • Level 3, a forensic science course.

Eventually, students who complete all three courses will be able to enroll in a work-based learning course in partnership with the Knoxville Police Department, which will move its headquarters to the new Public Safety Complex when construction is finished.

  • “When you’re talking about any high school anywhere in America, getting kids to a work-based learning opportunity in criminal justice is going to be difficult,” said Jonathan Egert, principal of the Skilled Professions Small Learning Community at Fulton. “For us, it’s a crossing of the street when that KPD office is open.”

On a recent afternoon, Andrist walked students through the basics of using handcuffs in an arrest situation, then gave pointers as they took turns practicing.

And while issues related to policing can be challenging, Andrist said in an interview that he doesn’t shy away from “the hard stuff”, and that approach builds trust within the classroom.

  • “If there’s a bad situation in police work we will absolutely talk about that, just as much as we’ll talk about the good stuff. And the kids see that and they know that, and that’s where that trust comes from.”

The approach appears to be paying dividends. Egert said there is a buzz around the program among students, who are seeing a different side of policing than they get on social media.

Alayna Roberson, a Fulton senior who is hoping to study criminology, said Andrist has a way of making the material interesting, and that she has enjoyed the class a lot.

“It made me want to know why people do what they do.”