The Division of Student Services and Federal Programs is pleased to recognize the principal, staff, and students at Folsom Elementary School for their role in saving the life of third grade teacher Shelly Copeland after she suffered a heart attack in her classroom.

The Folsom staff’s response to the teacher’s emergency was a textbook example of training, planning, and teamwork.

After Ms. Copeland collapsed in her classroom, one of her students ran to the office to get help. A teacher sounded the alarm on the intercom. Then the staff at the school did what they were trained to do. They called 911, administered Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and used the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to restore her heartbeat.

Her doctor says the staff's actions saved her life and prevented the brain damage that can occur when someone's heart is not pumping for a period of time. Ms. Copeland is expected to make a complete recovery.

About 325,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest each year, and more than 95 percent of them die before reaching the hospital. Use of CPR and an AED within five to seven minutes of the incident increase the survival rate to as much as 49 percent.