Carole Alkhateeb has a way of being in the right place at the right time, or as she puts it, having the right training for certain situations.

Twice in the past year, Alkhateeb, a paraprofessional at Chapel Lakes Elementary, has seen her first aid training pay off while performing the Heimlich maneuver on two different students. Each time, Alkhateeb was on lunch duty and happened to be nearby when a student began to choke. Alkhateeb had taken CPR training and knew what to do each time, even though she admits putting those skills to use can be a bit daunting.

"The first time just seemed surreal," Alkhateeb said. "I just saw this student choking and things just went in slow motion – I didn’t even think about, I just used the Heimlich and he was OK. It scared him quite a bit, but I’m just glad someone was there that had the training and knew what to do. I’m no hero, I’m just someone that kept up on my CPR training and was in the right place to help that student out."

Alkhateeb’s training and experience with the first student left her even more prepared the second time a scary situation arose. "The kids were getting ready to line up and I saw a boy starting to choke on a hot dog. Once again, I just did what I had to do. It could have been anyone else, but I just happened to be there both times and the odd thing is both kids have twins."

Both children have also expressed thanks to "Miss A." "The first student’s parents were very appreciative and (the student) likes to joke and say ‘That’s Miss A, she saved me from the chicken nugget,’" Alkhateeb said. "They gave me a little chicken nugget figure from McDonald’s and I keep it in my purse all the time. It makes me smile, but what I am so thankful for is seeing those little smiles walking down the hallway."

Alkhateeb also knows that her skills will likely keep her on lunch duty for some time. "I joked that now I’ll always have lunch duty," she said. "Another teacher said they should keep me in glass like a defibrillator and break the glass if anyone is choking. I’m just glad I have kept up on the CPR training."