Pierceton Teacher A 'Lifesaver' For Choking Student
November 11, 2020 at 9:11 p.m.
By Teresa Carrano-
Returning to Kathy Wright’s classroom, Tessa popped the candy in her mouth and started a spelling test. And then, something went wrong. The lozenge caught on her retainer and she flipped it off with her tongue. The candy went straight down her throat, partially blocking the windpipe.
Alarmed, unable to speak, Hamm walked up to Wright and her teacher immediately assessed the situation. Wright performed the Heimlich maneuver on Hamm’s diaphragm and the candy popped out on the floor.
Wright, who has taught for 21 years, called the school nurse to give Hamm a check and the students returned to their spelling test.
“She was kind of gurgling,” Wright said afterward. “She’s a little thing so I just did the motion on her stomach. She spit and coughed and up came the Lifesaver.
“It’s just what we do. That’s what the day-to-day events in a teacher’s life are like. We take it in stride. Do a Heimlich maneuver and get back to business.”
Wright said everyone stayed calm and the other students weren’t panicked.
Teachers are required to take regular health and safety classes. Most of them never use the knowledge.
“She was getting some air, but it was still lodged. It was a good thing to be up on my certification. I knew what to do,” she said. “It’s all part of what you’re ready for, besides teaching.”
Tessa is the daughter of Brittney and Todd Hamm, North Manchester. Brittney teaches at Whitko Junior High School.
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Returning to Kathy Wright’s classroom, Tessa popped the candy in her mouth and started a spelling test. And then, something went wrong. The lozenge caught on her retainer and she flipped it off with her tongue. The candy went straight down her throat, partially blocking the windpipe.
Alarmed, unable to speak, Hamm walked up to Wright and her teacher immediately assessed the situation. Wright performed the Heimlich maneuver on Hamm’s diaphragm and the candy popped out on the floor.
Wright, who has taught for 21 years, called the school nurse to give Hamm a check and the students returned to their spelling test.
“She was kind of gurgling,” Wright said afterward. “She’s a little thing so I just did the motion on her stomach. She spit and coughed and up came the Lifesaver.
“It’s just what we do. That’s what the day-to-day events in a teacher’s life are like. We take it in stride. Do a Heimlich maneuver and get back to business.”
Wright said everyone stayed calm and the other students weren’t panicked.
Teachers are required to take regular health and safety classes. Most of them never use the knowledge.
“She was getting some air, but it was still lodged. It was a good thing to be up on my certification. I knew what to do,” she said. “It’s all part of what you’re ready for, besides teaching.”
Tessa is the daughter of Brittney and Todd Hamm, North Manchester. Brittney teaches at Whitko Junior High School.
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