Life-saving teacher wins $600 for giving CPR

A Top of the World Elementary School teacher who saved a student from choking in October has an extra $600 in her pocket.

Tauna LaPierre, who teaches second grade, earned the most votes in an online contest sponsored by SureFire CPR, an organization that offers CPR and first-aid courses throughout Southern California.

The MyLocalHeroes contest asked respondents throughout California to submit stories of people who they felt made a difference in their communities. The public cast votes on SureFire’s Facebook page and LaPierre earned 250 more votes than the next closest of four finalists.

LaPierre is not sure how she will spend the money, but said possibilities include, “putting it to my son’s college account, donating it, Christmas gifts, a class gift for all of my students because they were heroes that day. They witnessed the whole thing and I know it was scary for all of them so I know I want to do something for the whole class.”

LaPierre performed the Heimlich maneuver to help extract a strawberry lodged in 8-year-old Corwin Allard’s throat during class. LaPierre had taken CPR training courses, but it was the first time she put the skills to practice in the classroom.

“I got behind him and gave three thrusts,” LaPierre told the Coastline Pilot last month. “Nothing. I started panicking and walked him to the door, and another teacher walked by. I was almost in tears. He started coughing and, it was like you see in the movies, it flew out of his throat.”

Corwin’s family was so impressed by LaPierre’s response that they nominated her for the award and encouraged others to vote.