ALGONQUIN (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - An Algonquin teacher is being hailed a hero for helping save a seventh grader while he was choking at school.
Shellie Kamminga, an eighth grade math teacher at Westfield Community School, was recognized by the District 300 Blue Ribbon Society for saving a student's life while he was choking.
The district says during lunch on Oct. 18, Kamminga noticed seventh grade student Gunnar Garcelon turned red and was unable to breathe or talk.
Kamminga performed the Heimlich maneuver, and the food was dislodged from the student's throat. He ended up being ok.
Kamminga was presented with a Blue Ribbon Society certification and pin for her actions. She says it was the first time she performed the Heimlich outside of training.
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