EHS Sports Medicine class integrates science, math, critical thinking and communication skills

From working with the Seattle Seahawks to the University of Kentucky football team, Thomas Kidd is widely known in the major sports leagues as a remarkable athletic trainer. Now, he’s bringing his extensive knowledge from the NFL and NCAA, combined with his universal skills in sports medicine, to Eastlake High School (EHS). In his school community, Kidd is recognized for going above and beyond by taking students under his wings and teaching them the ropes of sports medicine, one of the most in-demand and highest paid jobs across the nation. 

Prior to working in Lake Washington School District (LWSD), Kidd played a crucial role in helping athletes with rehabilitation and training in order to recover from injuries, optimize their performance and minimize injury risks.  

This included assessing athletes' biomechanics, strength, flexibility and movement patterns to identify injuries and potential risk factors for injuries; while implementing preventative measures. With injuries, he would then diagnose and treat a wide range of situations, such as sprains, fractures and concussions, using state of the art medical and rehabilitative machines. 

During the rehabilitation and recovery stage, Kidd would typically employ a multidisciplinary approach incorporating various techniques, including physical therapy, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. These programs are tailored to the specific needs of each athlete, which considers their injury, sport and personal goals. 

Even though Kidd loved his job and had a very successful career, his wife could tell he was passionate about the mentoring aspect of his job and encouraged him to look into teaching. That is when he took a leap of faith.  

“When I arrived at Eastlake High School in 2022 to teach health and fitness, they did not offer a Sports Medicine class,” said Kidd. “I felt like I was uniquely qualified to teach this course with my background and experience in sports. After gauging the interests of students, counselors and administrators, everyone encouraged me to start a Sports Medicine class at Eastlake, and so I did.” 

“My Sports Medicine class stands out because it blends real-world application with hands-on learning, giving students practical skills they can walk out of the classroom with and use anywhere,” Kidd continued.   

As a matter of fact, they are diving into every aspect of it, including orthopedics, physical therapy, neurology and cardiology. From assessing injuries to taping ankles, students actively engage with the material, taking their lessons to the next level. 

Furthermore, “As a healthcare-focused course, it introduces students to many careers they might not have known existed if they hadn't taken sports medicine,” he said. High demand jobs right now are MRI/CT technicians, cytogenetic technologists, ultrasound technologists and many more. “It's a class that provides a great baseline knowledge for students interested in any healthcare field. I really like how this class has the ability to bring students together and unite them from diverse backgrounds through a shared interest for health and athletics.” 

Kidd said his class elevates students by integrating advanced knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines, reinforcing the importance of a well-rounded education. “Students will apply anatomy and physiology to understand the human body, use math to analyze movement and injury recovery, develop communication skills when working with peers or presenting projects, and sharpen critical thinking through problem-solving real-world scenarios,” said Kidd. 

“I love my job because working with high schoolers is both exciting and rewarding,” said Kidd. “I get to see their curiosity grow for a subject that I'm passionate about. I enjoy being able to support their interests in healthcare and sports, in hopes of leading them to find their future career. It’s also fulfilling to know that students can leave my class feeling empowered to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their bodies. I feel grateful that Eastlake and LWSD supports building this program, allowing me to create a space where students can thrive and explore their passions in sports medicine.” 

LWSD offers six different, state-approved CTE (Career and Technical Education) pathways to students in middle school and high school. These courses incorporate academics with industry skills relevant to elevate students for higher-level courses in college and for high demand jobs in the real world. To learn more about CTE classes in LWSD, visit our website at lwsd.org/programs/college-and-career-readiness/cte 

To learn how you can take a CTE course, check out your local school catalog. 

For any questions regarding our programs, internships or other work-based learning opportunities, please contact collegecareerready@lwsd.org.