Fort Pierce Teachers Tour Jackson Drugs to Boost Pharmacy Tech Training

Pharmacy Technician teachers from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy stepped outside the classroom and into a working pharmacy, joining St. Lucie Public Schools Career Coaches for an educator learning round at Jackson Drugs Pharmacy in Fort Pierce.

The visit gave FPWA instructors a firsthand look at the daily workflows, professional environment, and workforce expectations their students will encounter during upcoming clinical training — bridging the gap between what students learn in the classroom and what the healthcare industry actually demands.

Natasha Ramlagan, president and owner of Jackson Drugs Pharmacy, led the tour and discussed the company's expansion plans and its mission to grow in direct response to community needs. Ramlagan explained how local demand shapes the pharmacy's services, workforce requirements, and long-term vision, and how education partnerships play a central role in sustaining that growth.

The learning round is part of St. Lucie Public Schools' Classrooms2Careers initiative, which connects educators and career coaches directly with local employers to strengthen career and technical education programs. By visiting industry partners before students arrive for clinical rotations, teachers can align classroom instruction with the real conditions students will face working alongside licensed pharmacists and their teams.

Career Coaches will carry the insights from the Jackson Drugs visit into their one-on-one advising sessions with students, using the firsthand industry knowledge to guide conversations about high-demand healthcare careers, workforce expectations, and the pathways available in St. Lucie County. That grounded, local context can be the difference between a student who pursues a healthcare career and one who never realizes the opportunity exists.

For Fort Pierce Westwood students, the payoff is practical: teachers who have seen the pharmacy floor, met the staff, and understood the pace of real operations are better equipped to prepare them — not just for clinical training, but for careers that are hiring now in their own community.

High school students in St. Lucie County interested in exploring pharmacy, healthcare, or other local career pathways can connect with district Career Coaches Terrence Platt or LeiNitia Robinson through St. Lucie Public Schools.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.