EMT Returns to Alma Mater as Instructor
News From Tulsa Tech By DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
REAL WORLD TEACHING: Former Tulsa Tech student Joshua Krumm may not have become a teacher as quickly as he planned, but after working as an EMT, he has recently returned to Tulsa Tech as its newest EMT instructor.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
After Joshua Krumm finished high school, his plan was simple: attend college, study education and become a teacher. However, the plan began to change once he found himself inside an ambulance.
“Originally I started college to become an English teacher,” Krumm says. “But my friends in our small community who were volunteer firefighters and EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technician) invited me to ride along a couple of times, just to see what their job was like.”
Although the Skiatook High School graduate was attending college, and continuing with his plan, there was something about this work environment he found interesting.
“I guess you could say I kind of caught the bug right away, and I thought I’d really enjoy this type of work,” he says. “So I began to research and look for and paramedic training, and that’s when I discovered Tulsa Tech.”
After completing Tulsa Tech’s training program, Krumm had the chance to return to his community and ride in the ambulance once again, although this time he wouldn’t be observing.
“As soon as I got my license, I started working part time with the Skiatook Fire Department,” says Krumm. “That’s where I got my first taste of what it’s really like to work in an ambulance.”
The work environment associated with this career field is demanding and often accompanied by extraordinary conditions. While some students may have the aptitude required to complete the training, the real test is being able to perform the skills they’ve learned when the time comes.
“It definitely takes a special type of person to be able to get the training from their head through to their hands,” Krumm says. “Always knowing you have an opportunity to help people, and yet not knowing what the next day might bring, it’s very demanding and also very rewarding.”
Krumm not only enjoyed this type of work, he was good at it, and although he hadn’t forgotten the original plan of becoming a teacher, he quickly decided to continue with a new objective, or plan 2.0.
“After working as an for a few months, I started the Paramedic program at Tulsa Tech,” he says. “After completing the program, I immediately went to work for , where I worked as a paramedic for over seven years.”
The married father of two had joined an elite group of health care professionals and was well on his way to a successful career, but there was one problem. He still thought about teaching.
“While I was working at , I enrolled in an instructor course at Tulsa Tech,” Krumm says. This certification allowed him to become an instructor for the Academy, with various programs designed to help train new employees.
Soon, Krumm found out about another teaching opportunity at a school he was very familiar with, so he applied, sat for interviews, and eventually accepted a position as one of Tulsa Tech’s newest instructors.
“Tulsa Tech is such a great place to study for a career as an /paramedic,” Krumm says. “Our faculty, curriculum, equipment and facilities are second to none. Students have the opportunity to learn from professionals who have worked in this career field for many years, including , LifeFlight, area hospitals and many other types of health care facilities.”
According to Tulsa Tech’s Emergency Medical Services () Coordinator Steve Nguyen, his former student, and newest instructor, personifies the goal of the program, which is educating tomorrow’s heroes today.
“As a student, Mr. Krumm always represented himself well and was a great ambassador for Tulsa Tech.” Nguyen says. “As an instructor, he’s insightful, thoughtful and very student-focused. Individuals in our career field have the opportunity to help people in a time of crisis and ensure they’re safely transported to medical facilities where they can receive additional care. Mr. Krumm does an excellent job of teaching the importance of this unique type of work to his students.”
So the student who had started with a simple plan to attend college and become a teacher has finally achieved his goal. However, Krumm, B.S.-N.R.P., isn’t teaching English to his students, he’s teaching them how to save lives.
If you’re currently looking for exciting classes for high school and adult students, quality corporate training, or a challenging new career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000, or visit us online at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 01-19-2015
READER COMMENTS
About Post Author
