PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Amber Petrie is training the next generation of firefighters, law enforcement and military.

Petrie teaches in the First Responder program at Pinellas Park High School.

Her students said she is a great role model and the go-to person when they need anything. Students praise Petrie’s experience, dedication and love.

“The fact that I get to actually help people, something I’ve always dreamed of doing,” said Lucille Lewis, a junior in the program.

Lewis is among Petrie’s students in the first responders magnet program, part of the National Guard Center for emergency management.

After four years of study, her students will walk out of class and right into careers in fire departments, law enforcement and the military.

“Everything that I teach, I’ve done,” said Petrie, a US Navy veteran. “So for this program, you’re going to have military. I did 8 years in the Navy, active duty and reserves. And I’ve been an EMT for 25 years. I was a dispatch in Pinellas County for 3 years.

“I’ve been a firefighter, so anything I teach my kids, I make sure I stay current in and I’m certified in. So they can ask me a question about anything and I can put a picture of me doing it on the board.”

In addition to the classroom, Petrie also is the school’s swim coach.

She goes the extra mile to make her students her family, hosting summer field trips and attending student’s events from ballets to 5ks.

“I try to make sure I know my kids, to build that rapport with them,” she said. “I really enjoy giving kids a place to be because so many of the kids don’t have a place where they can be themselves.”