It is no secret that I think teachers are heroes. I live in a mid-size town in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Teachers here have been on the job in person and online all year, proving their motto, “Dedicated to the Service of Children.” Several months ago, a couple of educators proved that I am right, and they are heroes in the real sense of the word. Their quick thinking saved a life, even as they taught online. According to the local media (Mary Blount Elementary educators' lifesaving action earns Blount County Sheriff's Office Citizen Service Award | News | thedailytimes.com) quick action by two educators provided emergency assistance to a student and their caregiver.

On February 9, a veteran educator, retired teacher turned assistant with many years of experience, spotted something wrong while teaching a math lesson on Google Meet. A mother of a child she was teaching was slumped over and unresponsive to a query on whether she was alright. The assistant teacher made the regular teacher aware of the issue and they called 911. The teacher stayed online with the eight-year-old student, while dismissing the other students in the Google meeting.

In addition to alerting emergency services, the teacher directed the student to pack a bag so that she would be ready to be in the care of another while her mother received medical care. After the incident, all the students that had been online were called to reassure them that the event had been taken care of and their classmate was ok and her mother was receiving the care she needed.

The school resource officer was immediately alerted by the communications center about the 911 call and commented that these seasoned educators handled the issue in a seamless manner. As a result, they were awarded the Blount County Sheriff’s Office: Citizen Service Award. He said in response to the 911 call almost immediately deputies were knocking on the door of the home to provide in person assistance to the mother and child. Evidence of caring support systems in the entire community.

Many are not aware that teacher’s eyes and ears are always alert for changes in behavior of the children they serve. They are also on alert for changes in the surrounding of those youth. As a result of their quick thinking, a child was reassured, she were not alone and help was called for the young person in their time of need. This alertness while necessary in person, is often even more important in online situations.

Their principal, says the two educators are not only heroes in their emergency alertness, but they are teaching heroes as well. He says they focus on student learning in their online format and in person and their preliminary test results prove that. The school system has provided both types of learning to all students since the beginning of the school year.  They are all heroes, alert to and providing for the youth in the community in whatever ways they are needed.

About the author

Christy Martin recently retired after more than 35 years as an educator K-12 and post-secondary as well as several years as a coordinator of programs for youth aging out of foster care. She writes about what she knows from experiences in education and social services. Christy welcomes comments on her articles. Communicate with her via email at ccsmartin@hotmail.com. She can also be found on Christy Martin | Facebook, Christy S. Martin (@ChristySMartin1) / Twitter, and (4) Christy Martin, Ed.D. | LinkedIn.