Meet Mandy Dickerson, the nurse who became a high school teacher

After nearly two decades as a pediatric nurse, the Madison mother of four started teaching science at St. Joseph Catholic School

Dickerson in her classroom at St. Joseph Catholic School. Kae Alexander

This story is part of a series of profiles by JYN reporters on people who inspire them in their daily lives.

By Kae Alexander

If the young Mandy Dickerson knew then that one day she'd grow up and become a teacher, there is no question she would turn her nose up or roll her eyes. Yet, here she is, in front of a science classroom at St. Joseph Catholic School, shaping young minds while splitting her time and energy to fulfill her other passion—nursing. 

Dickerson’s story is not a straight-line career path, but each sidetrack has put her right where she is meant to be, despite her indecisiveness.

“I really had no idea what I wanted to do, to be honest,” Dickerson admits, laughing. “I knew I wanted to work in science, but I bounced from studying microbiology to pharmacy to end up in nursing.”

The decision to go into nursing, for Dickerson, was not to work in something in science, but to fill in where her mother left off. Her mother, a nurse, gave her a purpose and that caring for people could be one.

“I saw how much purpose my mom gained from her job, though she was gone so much because of work,” Dickerson said. “I wanted to feel that purpose.”

In a room full of energetic high school students, she finds herself merging the worlds of nursing and education.

For nearly 19 years, Dickerson has been a pediatric nurse—a role that has allowed her to combine her love for science with a genuine desire to help children. But her career didn’t stop there. In 2019, she began teaching clinicals at nursing universities, sharing her hard-earned knowledge with the next generation of healthcare professionals. It wasn’t until this past year, however, that Dickerson officially stepped into a full-time classroom teaching role. Now, in a room full of energetic high school students, she finds herself merging the worlds of nursing and education.

Dickerson explains how her healthcare background is an asset: “I can connect [all the subjects I teach] to healthcare,” she explains. “Chemistry, environmental science, nutrition—everybody is connected. Nursing and teaching require much patience, multi-tasking, and staying level in crisis.”

Whether discussing the chemical makeup of home care products or discussing the virtues of well-balanced eating, Dickerson can see ways in which her medical experience adds substance to her teaching. The overlap is natural: in each, having knowledge of the world is how one makes better decisions and has better outcomes.

Dickerson’s transition to full-time teaching was one of choice and priority.

“I switched to full time because I wanted to be on my kids’ calendar,” the mother of four explains.

The transition, she goes on, was not one of necessity—instead, one of harmony with priorities. Tight-rope walking this balancing act of nurse and instructor, Dickerson continues to work weekend shifts in the hospital to stay sharp and to earn extra dollars.

“If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it,” she says, smiling. “I'll just receive a question from a student about how I'm doing, and I'll remember to catch up with people before I go into any sort of conversation.”

These short bits of true connection remind her that teaching is not only about transferring knowledge—teaching is about caring about the whole person. Whether talking about the environment or talking about life lessons, Dickerson is always considering her students' well-being. Their safety and their development always take precedence.

In Dickerson’s eyes, the religious aspect of the Catholic school—praying Mass in common and learning about values—adds significant value to school life. The blending of academic challenge and spiritual development is reflective of her own harmonious philosophy of living and of labor.

“I hope my past self would see me to be more accepting and open to ways of living.”

— Mandy Dickerson

Her reflections, however, go beyond her work. Looking in the rearview, Dickerson confesses that, indeed, fate was there in shaping her into the woman she is.

“I never wanted to go to my high school, but I met my husband there,” she said.

When pondering how her past self would criticize her now, Dickerson is reflective and amused.

“My past self was really one-sided in my opinions,” she said. “I believe my past self would judge me a lot, perhaps ashamed of some of my decisions.” 

There is, though, a sense of pride in how much further along in life she has come. Having experienced life in various ways and people in various ways has taught her.

“I hope my past self would see me to be more accepting and open to ways of living,” she mused.

Her self-awareness has taught her wisdom in considering the big picture and living in the now.

At the heart of Dickeron's story is a fierce pursuit of betterment and happiness. “Satisfaction is happiness,” she is convinced. It is something that has guided her through each and every turn of life and in her career. With four amazing kids and a successful career, half in education and half in healthcare, Dickerson is a living testimony to the fact that success is not one thing in isolation, but about having the potential to derive happiness and purpose in each and every role you take.

Dickerson’s life, whether school or otherwise, is about living one’s dream and being true to one’s self.

“My mother set [me up to be] an educated, independent lady,” she said.

It is something which has driven her and continues to inspire her every day. In hospital scrubs or in front of a digital classroom board, Mandy Dickerson is dedicated to having a positive impact—one day, one student, one patient at a time.

In the end, though, Dickerson is not about work or about lessons learned—she is about seeking, growing, and having the courage to follow her heart, no matter how lost it becomes. And if there is one thing she can learn from her students, it is that life, much like in science, is full of unexpected reactions which can turn into something really great.