March 30 was just another day in the Essential Skills classroom at Brown County High School. Student Corey Dick was enjoying his lunch, which included an orange slice his mother had packed for him.
He had never had problems eating an orange slice before, teacher Barb Kelp said. Paraprofessional Shirley Ackerman quickly identified that this time was different.
“He had stopped choking and his airway was clogged. Shirley, without missing a beat, jumped in immediately and put all of her training into place. She immediately cleared Corey’s airway and prevented a very, very tragic situation from happening,” Kelp told the Brown County Schools Board of Trustees.
Ackerman received an Eagle pin at the April 5 school board meeting, along with hugs from board members for her efforts in saving Dick’s life. Dick and his mother, Emily, also attended.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]“This is not something we want to hear about, but we’re so glad it had a wonderful outcome,” said school board Vice President Carol Bowden.
Kelp had reached out to Superintendent Laura Hammack and the board, wanting to recognize Ackerman for what she did.
“As soon as we heard the news, I said, ‘Shirley is a hero for us every day.’ There is no doubt. She is extraordinary,” Hammack said. “This just gives us all goosebumps. You’re amazing. This (Eagle pin) is the highest award that the board gives anyone, so please know that though it might not mean much as far as monetary, it means a whole lot when it’s all said and done.”
All paraprofessionals in the Essential Skills classroom receive extensive, ongoing training from Kelp and the nursing staff, along with online training. Kelp and each paraprofessional in that classroom are trained in CPR and first aid, too.
Ackerman has worked as a paraprofessional in the Essential Skills classroom since 2011. Kelp called paraprofessionals the “backbone” of the program.
Ackerman thanked the board for the recognition. “I am just so thankful I was able to help,” she said.
