(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – March 17, 2025) — Students at Irvin High School are getting hands-on experience in the healthcare field through the school’s P-Tech Health Science Principles class, which utilizes interactive modules from the Paxton Patterson Institute. The program gives students an early introduction to medical careers, providing them with realistic instruments and hands-on training that simulates real-world healthcare scenarios.
The success of Irvin’s program recently caught the attention of Paxton Patterson Institute representatives, who visited the school to see firsthand how teacher Fernando Quezada is running his classroom using their materials. Irvin High School hosted a regional showcase in February, inviting educators from across the area to experience the program in action.
Quezada, a former ambulance worker with 25 years of experience, transitioned into education and first became an English teacher. His passion for healthcare led him to switch to teaching Health Science, where he now guides students through a rotating series of medical modules. Every 10-15 days, students switch to a new area, gaining exposure to different healthcare professions, from pharmacy and dentistry to ultrasound technology and emergency medicine.
MORE PHOTOS: Irvin High School P-TECH program prepares students for careers in healthcare
Freshman student Angelina Gomez, who dreams of becoming an ultrasound technician, says the course has deepened her passion for the medical field.
“I like that we do a lot of hands-on things like for pharmacists and dentistry, and other things. The lessons are very interactive, like we get to take blood from these fake arms, and it’s really cool because it helps us see how it is in the real world,” Gomez said.
Her classmate, Aiden Gaytan, also a freshman, appreciates the hands-on learning experience.
"I am taking this class because I think it could help me in my future and become a doctor," Gaytan said. "I love all the modules and activities that this course provides for us."
Quezada emphasizes that the program is designed to spark students’ interest in healthcare careers while keeping them engaged.
“We have freshmen who take this class, and it’s a kind of exploration into the medical field. I find that the kids really enjoy this course. It gives them an idea as to what medical field interests them,” Quezada said. “The modules are amazing. They keep the students engaged. The students don’t get bored. They’re always doing something.”
Irvin High School is one of three El Paso ISD campuses, along with Silva and Franklin High Schools, that have a Paxton Patterson Lab. Through this innovative program, students are gaining valuable knowledge, hands-on experience, and a head start on their future careers in healthcare.
For more information on the P-Tech program at Irvin High School, visit P-TECH at Irvin High School.