Kam Weller, High School Athletic Trainer & SimRated Instructor
Author: Kristin Oropeza
As the final bell rings and students rush out of the classroom, the sound of sneakers squeaking against the gym floor echoes through the halls. Lakewood High School sports are in full swing, and behind the scenes, a key player is working tirelessly to keep the athletes healthy and performing at their best. Meet their athletic trainer, Kam Weller, the unsung hero of this high school’s sports world. From taping ankles to administering concussion tests, Weller is among an elite group of trained professionals who are an essential part of any successful athletic program.
We want also to congratulate Weller, who was recently inducted into the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame for her service to the student-athletes of the community. She is highly respected in her field, and we are honored to have her as a SimRated course instructor.
A career as a high school athletic trainer
Weller has spent her entire career - all 24 years of it - teaching at Lakewood High School in Lakewood, CA. She first earned her Bachelor's of Art at California State University, Long Beach, in the area of Kinesiology and her Master's of Art in Education at Azusa Pacific University. On top of her advanced degree, Weller has teaching credentials in Physical Education, Life Science and a CTE credential in Health Science and Medical Technology (HSMT). And, as if that wasn’t impressive enough, Weller also earned recognition as a National Board Certified Science Teacher.
Weller has spent most of her time at Lakewood High as an athletic trainer. She is currently the medical coverage for all the home varsity sports, with the exception of football. (Although she admits to being the coverage for football for 15 seasons!) Weller is a certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Physical Therapy Assistant. She is also an instructor for First Aid and CPR. Weller serves the Odyssey Pathway at Lakewood High and teaches Biology and Sports Medicine while also acting as the Sports Medicine Club Advisor. Weller was recently inducted into the Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame for her service to the student-athletes of the community.
What does a high school athletic trainer do?
A high school athletic trainer is a healthcare professional who specializes in the prevention, treatment, and management of sports-related injuries and illnesses in high school athletes. They work in conjunction with coaches and other medical professionals to ensure that student-athletes can perform at their best while minimizing the risk of injury.
According to the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), athletic trainers play a crucial role in keeping student-athletes healthy and safe, allowing them to perform at their best on the field or court. They are trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries and illnesses that are commonly associated with sports.
Additionally, the NATA reports that athletic trainers can provide education and guidance to coaches and athletes on injury prevention, proper conditioning techniques, and the importance of rest and recovery. This can help reduce the risk of injury and promote long-term health and wellness for student-athletes.
Furthermore, athletic trainers can serve as a valuable resource for schools and communities by providing emergency care in the event of a sudden injury or illness. They can also collaborate with other medical professionals, such as physicians and physical therapists, to ensure that student-athletes receive comprehensive and coordinated care.
Overall, athletic training is significant to high school sports because it promotes the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, both on and off the field or court. It can help prevent injuries, provide prompt and effective treatment when injuries do occur, and promote a culture of health and wellness among student-athletes and the broader community. The NATA recommends that all high schools have access to athletic trainers to ensure the safety and well-being of their student-athletes.
The many opportunities for athletic trainers
Weller has also worked extensively with SimRated, currently serving as one of their Athletic Trainer Education Consultants. What does this mean? She assists in the development of written curriculum and video checklists and can be seen in several of SimRated’s videos for Knee Evaluation, Bandage and Wound Care, and Ankle Taping.
Weller is also an instructor at Long Beach City College, a community college in Long Beach, CA, where she teaches an Introduction to Sports Medicine course.
Despite having a full and part-time teaching gig, along with her consultation work, Weller still manages to find time for her own self-care. When she isn’t working, you’re likely to find Weller enjoying outdoor activities, including mountain biking and skiing. Weller was raised in Lake Tahoe, California, and was on her high school ski team.
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Sources:
National Athletic Trainers' Association. Athletic Trainers. (n.d.) Retrieved fromhttps://www.nata.org/about/athletic-training.