Monticello elementary teacher saves choking student

MONTICELLO, Ill. (WAND) —A Washington Elementary School 3rd Grade teacher was honored after she saved a choking student last week.

"I don't really remember thinking a whole lot other than 'I hope I remember the things that I had learned,'" Brittany Ransom, finishing her 14th year as a teacher, said. "Thankfully it only took about six times to get the item out and I just knew I had to do whatever it took to get it out of him. My students were running to the office to get another adult and I'm just really proud of the way that they responded as well."

Ransom was presented a community hero award by the Kirby Ambulance Service.

"We like to acknowledge and recognize our community heroes so this is what the certificate was for. She actually got a community hero award for actually saving a life," said Ethan Leynes, the Director of EMS for Kirby.

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Ransom acted so fast that 9-1-1 did not need to be called for the student.

"The teacher actually did everything she needed to do," Leynes added. "And then calling 911 and getting EMS was not needed just because she was able to do that herself."

Ransom hopes this shows other teachers and parents that they should learn life-saving acts in case of an emergency.

"Everybody has just been so loving and encouraging which has been nice," Ransom reflected. "I'm just relieved that I was able to think clearly in the moment and know exactly what to do and respond quickly."