Kindergarten teacher saw tears rolling down a 6-year-old’s face and went to check on him — what she discovered seconds later shook her
Teachers are often seen as mentors who guide students through challenges, but one Kindergarten teacher in Louisiana recently went beyond that role in a critical moment. Megan Benham was present in the cafeteria during lunchtime when she spotted something unsettling. A six-year-old boy, Nicholas Marks Jr. (Nikko), who was seated in the same cafeteria, had tears rolling down his face, as reported by PEOPLE on Saturday, March 28. At first, it seemed like a simple emotional episode, but she quickly realized the situation was far more serious and demanded immediate action.
The Dolby Elementary student was eating lunch when he found himself in a difficult situation. Initially, the teacher saw tears on his face and approached him to see what was wrong. When Benham arrived at his desk, she noticed the six-year-old boy was unable to breathe. It was because he had choked on a piece of apple. Despite her panic, Benham knew she had to react quickly, and she took immediate action. The teacher first patted the boy on the back, but it didn't help.
“I went behind him, saying, ‘It’s okay, buddy, I got you.’ I can tell he was scared. So, I just put my arms around him and reenacted what I saw my husband do when our son was choking,” she told KPLC. Her swift response pulled the six-year-old out of the life-threatening situation, as he was able to breathe. Once the apple was dislodged, Benham wasted no time in calling Nikko’s parents. “When the phone first rang, I was like, ‘Oh my god, what did Nikko do now?’”, Rhonda Marks, Nikko’s mother, recalled saying. However, her “world stopped” once she knew the real reason behind the call. As reported in AOL, she said, “I couldn't imagine anything happening to my babies.”
Nikko’s father, Nicholas Marks, also expressed his gratitude towards Benham. Being an ICU nurse himself, he also encouraged that teachers should be trained for such situations. “They’re with them all day; no one else is around. Having to call 911 for something, that person might not have that much time, especially a child not breathing while they’re standing to wait for 911 to come. That’s crazy, that’s how our system is,” the six-year-old’s dad noted.
Benham later explained her observation and the cues that pushed her to worry that something was wrong with Nikko. The first reason was that Nikko had a cheerful disposition, but after eating a piece of apple, he became quiet. Secondly, Nikko also stood up while eating, which his teacher said was unusual. Even after the apple was dislodged and the situation was under control, Nikko was still processing everything, according to his mother, who spoke to him over the phone.
The teacher also said that Nikko was upset all day and hadn't eaten anything. The teacher told his mom at the pickup to ensure he ate something. “It’s nice to know we have teachers out there to care for our children as we do,” Nikko’s mother added. Later, Calcasieu Parish School Board Superintendent Jason VanMetre praised Benham’s swift response, expressing gratitude for her ability to stay composed in a moment of panic. Nikko can't help but be grateful. He has undoubtedly found more respect and appreciation for Benham. “I hope she stays as my teacher," he said.
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