Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/458422
Jewett, Sierra College Faculty Association, knew he wanted to be a fireman at a young age. His dream became a reality, and for 11 years he was a firefighter for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. But in 2012 he was injured on the job and was unable to continue working as a firefighter. It took him a long time to recover from his injuries. He wasn't sure if his dreams would be extinguished. Fortunately, his passion for firefighting and helping to save Northern California communities was reignited, you might say, when he received an opportunity to teach future firefighters. Most days he can be found at Sierra College's main campus in Rocklin or its satellite campus in Roseville, where he's teaching Fire Behavior and Combustion; Intro- duction to Fire Protection and Emergency Services; and Firefighter Safety and Survival. He is the drill master at the Sierra College Regional Fire Academy. His students are working toward their associate in arts degree in fire technology and are eligible to apply for firefighting jobs after taking two semesters in the college's state-accredited Regional Fire Academy and passing an Emergency Med- ical Technician course. It's fun, but Jewett takes the job seriously. He knows firsthand that what his students learn in his classroom can mean the difference between life and death not only for them, but for California residents facing an inferno. A T T H E W J E W E T T u s e d t o spend his time putting out fires. But now he's teaching others how to do that, as a fire technology instructor at Sierra College. M By Sherry Posnick-Goodwin Former firefighter ignites passion for the profession Profile Perspectives 26 www.cta.org