She knew she could do it.
“My district thinks that I can do this. My school thinks that I can do this. This family behind me thinks that this is part of my job, and I can do this.”
Those were some of the thoughts that swirled through Lori Marsalko’s mind as she jumped into action.
The first grade teacher at Hale Elementary was monitoring the pick-up line after school last fall when she noticed the young sibling of a student suffer a medical emergency and become unresponsive.
Marsalko responded immediately and used her district CPR and readiness training.
By the time first responders from the Arlington Fire Department arrived, the child was responsive again.
“Thanks to her swift and skilled intervention, the child is expected to make a full recovery,” said Arlington Fire Department fire chief Bret Stidham.
Stidham and several Arlington firefighters visited Hale last week to honor Marsalko and present her with a certificate of commendation
“The Arlington Fire Department commends Ms. Marsalko for her life-saving actions, knowing she was truly the right person at the right place at the right time,” Stidham said.
Taina Northington, Arlington ISD’s chief communications officer, then presented Marsalko with the district’s Employee of the Month award. Northington praised Marsalko for embodying the district’s values and culture with her heroic actions.
“I’m glad that I was there and that [this incident] has given us all the opportunity to bring training to our campus to be aware, because I believe that all of us can do this,” Marsalko said.