When a sixth-grade student started choking during class, Taylor Road Middle School teacher Ellie Dosch’s training launched her into action, Channel 2 Action News reported Thursday.

Dosch’s class was having snacks connected to a lesson on J.R.R. Tolkein’s “The Hobbit.” A student took a bite of a doughnut and began choking.

READ | Coyotes spotted in North Fulton, city urges caution

“She was in a full-on panic, waving her arms, and it caught my attention,” Dosch told Channel 2.

Dosch, also a lacrosse coach at Chattahoochee High School, has extensive training in first aid and CPR. She ran to the student and performed the Heimlich maneuver on the girl until the doughnut dislodged and the girl could breathe again.

After the incident, the girl’s mother was called by the school nurse. When she saw the Johns Creek school’s number on her caller ID, she feared the worst, but was relieved when she arrived at the school and found her daughter safe.

“I put my arms around her and I was so glad she was better,” said the woman, who was identified as Marcy by Channel 2.

Marcy called Dosch the “teacher of the century” for helping her daughter.

Like North Fulton County News Now on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

In other news:

DeKalb County has reported nearly a half dozen sewage spills in the last 48 hours.

About the Author

Keep Reading

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson speaks at a press conference at the Manual J. Maloof building in Decatur on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Cochran-Johnson announced a freeze on creating new positions without approval and spending on "non-essential" items. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Featured

An aerial image shows the Atlanta skyline on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez