Caring through Uncertainty with Mrs. Kate Tucker

Caring through Uncertainty

with Mrs. Kate Tucker

As one might expect, the role of school nurse has taken on a whole new meaning over the past two years. Although it has been anything but easy to juggle Bridgton’s healthcare needs throughout the pandemic, Kate Tucker, RN, the Academy’s nurse, has taken it all in stride. Despite the constant uncertainty, her care, compassion, and ever-present smile remain. This past spring at Commencement, Kate was honored for her amazing contributions to our community when she received the Cole-Dyer Award, which annually recognizes employees who make a significant difference in the daily workings of Bridgton Academy.

Please tell us a bit about yourself—where you are from, your interests, and your family?

I grew up in Gray, Maine, just outside of Portland, and love living in our beautiful state! I met my husband Josh while we were both living in Calcutta, India and we moved back to Maine together to start our family. We have five boys ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old and are dorm parents in Walker Hall, where we have lived for the last six years. We love to be outside taking advantage of all that this area has to offer.

How has serving as the school nurse at the Academy changed over the past few years?

It probably goes without saying that COVID-19 has changed the role of school nurse for every nurse around the world! Being in this role during a global pandemic has been a very unique challenge. I have relied so much on my coworkers and the leadership here to help guide the ship through these tough times. Although the job is certainly more challenging in a myriad of ways, the feelings of pride I have when it comes to how the Academy has navigated through these times far outweighs the difficulties. We have come together to make sure that we keep each other and our community healthy, while still being able to have some sense of normalcy.

You have been a part of the COVID Response Team at Bridgton throughout the pandemic. What has your specific role been on the team?

The COVID Response Team (CRT) has been meeting since the first stages of the pandemic, when we thought it might be a two-week problem. Nearly two years later, we meet weekly to discuss the national and local COVID-19 picture, and then use that information to dictate how our policies and procedures should be adapted to best support the Bridgton Academy community. Along with staying up to date with the most recent COVID-19 information and guidelines coming from the state

and national levels, we plan out supply needs; develop programming to mitigate risk; create policy; plan and implement testing and surveillance strategies; and communicate with staff, students, and parents promptly and consistently, among many other things!

What has been the most difficult thing about guiding Bridgton through health during COVID? Is there a silver lining?

The most difficult thing about helping to manage the COVID-19 pandemic at Bridgton Academy has been the constant worry about keeping people safe. We are a family here at the Academy and everyone involved in the COVID mitigation strategies is acutely aware that the protocols and practices we implement have a direct effect on the people in our community. Wanting desperately to make the right call in an everchanging landscape is a big stressor that is made easier by the fact that we were all pulling in the same direction with the same goal in mind.

I think the silver lining about COVID-19 at Bridgton Academy is similar to the silver lining across the country—while the times have been difficult, anxiety-provoking, and

What piqued your interest in choosing to work at Bridgton and what is most special to you about this community?

I came to Bridgton Academy after being a stay-at-home mom for a few years. I loved getting back into nursing and really appreciated the fact that the community was so supportive of working mothers and people trying to balance a home and work life in a way that really allowed them to be present. I can’t say enough about how much I love being a part of this community. I feel so fortunate to raise my children here and to watch them grow up with the other faculty and staff children, as well as with the students who they love to get to know and learn from. I try never to take for granted the life and community that Bridgton Academy affords my family and me—it’s just the best!

full of problems to solve, we have come together to work towards the common goal of keeping each other safe. Seeing everyone consider others before themselves and being willing to do what it takes to keep moving forward safely has been a gift during a few really difficult years.

The question we are all curious about— how many COVID tests have you done since the pandemic started?

COUNTLESS! I am not sure of the exact number of tests I have done, but it is certainly in the thousands. We are so lucky to have had access to a lot of testing supplies, as well as a fast turnaround time for results—thank goodness for that because it has allowed us to react in a super timely manner to any concerning testing.

What is most challenging about your position, not related to the pandemic?

COVID has put everything into perspective as far as this question goes! The challenges of my position can sometimes be in the day-to-day managing of the various and unpredictable student health needs—the really unpredictable ones always seem to happen after hours or in the middle of the night.

Tucker receives the 2021 Cole Dyer Award

“It probably goes without saying that COVID-19 has changed the role of school nurse for every nurse around the world!”

What do you feel are some of the most important things that Bridgton Academy instills our students?

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about this question is confidence and self-assurance. I get a front row seat as students learn to advocate for themselves, live independently, and engage in their community in a way that really brings out their personality.

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I sang in a wedding band for 11 years! Oddly enough, I have stage fright and would be so nervous leading up to every wedding, but it would usually melt away as soon as the music started—thank goodness!

Where is the most memorable place that you have traveled?

I traveled to Southeast Asia often during my twenties and lived in India for an extended time. My life was changed by my time in India, and it will always feel like a second home for my family and me. I will never forget my trip to Kathmandu, Nepal. When we arrived in Kathmandu, after a days-long train ride followed by a four-hour, nerve-wracking van ride up a mountain, it was late in the evening and the area was cloud-covered. When I woke up in the morning and walked up to the roof of my hostel and saw Mt. Everest floating in the sky right in front of me, I literally fell to my knees in awe.

Books, music, or movies. Which do you enjoy the most and why?

So hard to choose! I love all three but if I had to choose, I would say music. I feel like music holds so many memories for me and I am so moved by deep lyrics and very jealous of people who can play an instrument! BA