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“Being able to save someone’s life someday is gratifying,” says high school student Beatriz Sene Georgevich. “It is important to know how to act quickly, keep calm, and guide others to call in an emergency.” Beatriz learned these basic emergency response lessons as part of a comprehensive health education program at Mizzou Academy, where high school students have multiple opportunities to practice and deepen their knowledge of this critical content.
We currently offer two versions of our high school Health course: one for online-only delivery and a second for on-site delivery in the classrooms of our CoTeach program. Both offer heartsaving education.
On-site Training in International Partner Schools
To support our CoTeach version of the course, many Mizzou Academy partner schools offer in-class workshops with healthcare and emergency medical professionals. These hands-on sessions give students a safe place to practice, ask questions, and gain essential skills. Group Singular in São Paulo and Maxi Cuiaba in Mato Grosso recently offered these workshops, and their students were enthusiastic about the practical learning.
Newton Araújo, coordinator at Colégio Singular, says that CPR classes are important for high school students as part of their school’s Health course: “Students understand the right measures to be taken in order to keep anyone in need alive before the rescuers or paramedics arrive.”
Reflecting on the workshop, student Raphaella Guastaglia de Salvo says that in CPR class, she learned how to support someone in cardiac arrest and how to keep them alive. She saw her most important job as taking “correct actions” to support the person until emergency responders arrive and doing all she can to help. “It is very important,” she adds, “because we can help people in emergencies at any time.”
Maurides De Sa Costa Junior, who coordinates the high school program at Maxi Cuiaba, shared about a recent hands-on First Aid Emergency Response demonstration led by Thomas Anthony Kudyba. The event included practical demonstrations of lifesaving techniques, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich Maneuver.
“During the activity,” Maurides says, “the teacher introduced students to the structure and components of a First Aid Kit, detailing the uses of essential items for initial care—such as bandages, gauze, slings, splints, breathing barriers, and stretchers—along with other supplies crucial for handling unexpected emergencies.”
Mizzou Academy Executive Director Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver observes that CoTeach courses “come to life in the classroom” through relationships, lessons, and experiences such as this one that Thomas created for his students.
After the lesson, students better understood the importance of quick action and crisis prevention. Maurides appreciates the way this class combines content from the Health course with practical skills. He adds that this kind of learning is “vital for students’ academic lives and their roles as citizens.”
Heart Education in our High School Health Courses
In the coming school year (2026-27), the Mizzou Academy team is releasing a series of new resources and activities in both our CoTeach and online Health courses.
The updates align with the state of Missouri requirements that students in grades 9 through 12 receive at least 30 minutes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) instruction and psychomotor skills training prior to graduation.
“Our goal is to provide multiple opportunities to interact with the information,” says Angie Hammons, our Director of Curriculum Development and IT. “We pulled information from the American Heart Association to demonstrate the proper technique and encouraged students to practice CPR. We also were careful to remind students that the lesson didn’t certify them in CPR and that they should look for local classes to complete the certification.”
In one activity, students are asked to read several scenarios that require them to think through the CPR steps and then determine the appropriate sequence of actions. In another, students are asked to submit photographs of themselves demonstrating CPR.
Asst. Professor of Professional Practice Dr. Sherry Denney worked closely with Angie on the updated curriculum. “It is all about saving lives,” says Sherry. “Being an online student does not exclude individuals from emergency situations. It is my hope that our curriculum directions are clear, concise, and actionable. We want to increase students’ confidence in performing CPR and ensure they know that this information is how we take care of each other.”
Mizzou Academy Faculty and Staff Complete Heartsaver CPR/First Aid Course
Our faculty and staff also have taken this learning to heart. Last spring, several members of our team visited the Shelden Clinical Simulation Center at the University Hospital. There, they participated in the Heartsaver program, which offers a variety of services to train students and providers in CPR and First Aid. Our team participated in the American Heart Association certifications for First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and CPR for adults, children, and infants.
Science Division Chair Ericca Thornhill assisted the instructor with a tutorial simulation for choking emergencies. Mizzou Academy Instructional Specialist and Counseling Support Ellie Trick and Executive Assistant Sarah Williams demonstrated how important hand placement and strength are when properly executing the Heimlich Maneuver.
“Thanks to this opportunity, I now look to locate the First Aid kits and AEDs whenever I enter a building or new location,” says Sarah.
Like a few others on our team, Ellie was renewing her certification from two years ago. She appreciated the refresher: “As the life-saving techniques have changed a bit, it was very helpful to attend the class and learn from a professional. CPR on an infant has a different hand placement now. The hands-on practice through the Shelden Simulation Center reassured my confidence to help in any real-life situation.”
Mizzou Academy Faculty and Staff practice lifesaving skills at the Heartsaver course.
Like many of our students, Mizzou Academy Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Jill Clingan was a little nervous going into the Heartsaver First Aid/CPR course, but shares that she was so glad she took it. “I learned an incredible amount of practical information and came away feeling much more confident about responding in an emergency situation. The course gave me important lifesaving skills, but it also reminded me how valuable it is to simply be prepared to help others when it matters most.”
“One of our professional mottos at Mizzou Academy is that ‘we are for each other,’” adds Kathryn. “CPR and First Aid education is yet another way we get to live out this creed in our communities.”