WHETHER IT’S the heart-pounding rush and anticipation of the emergency room (ER) or the quieter scene of the classroom where students are learning about all of the possibilities of the medical field, Katie Alderman thrives in both.
Hailing from a family where medicine and teaching were commonplace in her upbringing, with her father working as a doctor, her mother in the school system, and as a youth minister, she seemed almost destined to be involved with both.
After graduating with a degree in animal science from Auburn University, she had plans to attend veterinary school but took an alternative route working for a professional equestrian. She would continue to work in the horse industry, where she would also meet her husband, Stephen. The couple decided they wanted to pursue careers in the medical field, and both helped support each other through school. Stephen became a paramedic, and Katie, a nurse. She said she enjoyed working in the intensive care unit (ICU) and ER. While loving her profession, having a family changed her course somewhat. However, it would enable her to enjoy another profession close to her heart — teaching.
“All of my nursing work experience has been ICU or ER,” Katie said. “I loved the ER and worked down the road at Harton for many years and hope to get back one day. But our schedules were just too hectic for raising children. So three years ago, I was lucky enough to be offered the position here, which has been a great opportunity for our family just with the schedule and being able to be home in the summer with the kids. It’s been enjoyable to hang on to the health industry and remain plugged in there.”
Now, as the Health Science teacher at Tullahoma High School, Katie said she loves showing her students all that the healthcare industry has to offer.
“They often just think you can be a nurse or doctor, and that’s it,” she explained. “We explore what else is out there and also available here in Tullahoma. It’s great to see their eyes light up when they hear about everything available to them. They can rotate through different clinicals that allow them to explore other things. At the end of the semester, some kids decided that healthcare was not for them. I think it’s just as valuable to know what you don’t want to do as what you want to pursue. And we lay things out for them, such as hours, shifts, and time away from home. There are things that they aren’t thinking about now but are important to consider.”
She added she also enjoys her students and getting to engage with high school students.
“I love high schoolers,” she said. “I love their quirky little spirit. I think that’s in my DNA. My mom was a youth minister for a long time, so we always had high schoolers around as far back as I can remember. I love this age and being here with them every day.”
Whether a nurse or a teacher, Katie said the perk is being able to serve her community.
“The other thing that I tell them is that I loved my experience in the ER, and a huge part of that was because it was my community,” said Katie. “It would not have been nearly as fulfilling if I had worked at an ER in Winchester or Murfreesboro. While those are great hospitals, I felt called to work in this community. I grew up here. I have such a family legacy here. My parents have been here for so long. And I loved being a familiar face for people on a terrible day. So I try to put some of that out there for kids to know that it’s not always just money. It’s about what fulfills you and gives you purpose. I really love working in the Tullahoma community.” GN
