GIBSONVILLE, N.C. - A teacher who saved a student's life last month was awarded Guilford County School Employee of the Month.

  • Gibsonville fourth grade teacher Drew Simpson is the Guilford County School Employee of the Month
  • Simpson performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student in December

Drew Simpson is a fourth grade teacher at Gibsonville Elementary School and a trained first responder.

His skills were put to the test on December 2 when he successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student who was choking in the cafeteria.

 “I was just thankful that I was there and they didn't have to call me from my room and that would have probably taken some extra time that we probably didn't have,” Simpson says.

Fortunately, the child dislodged his food, and the 911 call was canceled and fortunately, the student is doing OK.

The school principal said Simpson’s impact on students goes far beyond this single incident.