Three First Graders Save Their Teacher’s Life

December 4, 2025

Three first graders in Virginia are being hailed as real-life heroes after their quick thinking and teamwork helped save their teacher’s life during a frightening moment in the classroom.

Credit: KENS 5 News

The incident happened last week at Lakeview Elementary School in Colonial Heights, where 23-year-old Madison Swift was teaching in her first year as an educator. While working with a student and eating at the same time, Swift suddenly began choking on her food and was unable to breathe.

That’s when three of her students — 7-year-old Kolton Hersh and 6-year-olds Dereck Contreras-Franco and Bryson Doss — immediately realized something was wrong. As their teacher struggled, each boy jumped into action in his own way.

Dereck ran to press the classroom’s emergency call button and, along with other students, urgently told the office that their teacher was choking.

Bryson sprinted out of the room to get help from another teacher across the hallway.

Meanwhile, Kolton stayed right by Swift’s side and began giving her back blows to try to dislodge the food.

Swift later recalled that those back blows worked. The food was dislodged, and help quickly arrived thanks to the boys’ fast response.

“They 100% saved my life,” she said, praising each of them for their courage and quick thinking. She also believes the strong bond she built with her students from the very first day played a major role in how instinctively they stepped up during the emergency.

The first graders were also recognized by their school in a tribute on social media.

“We are so proud of these three first graders! They jumped into action when they noticed that their teacher was choking,” Lakeview Elementary School captioned a photo.

"My little life savers!!" Swift wrote in the comments section.

To recognize their incredible bravery, Swift rewarded Kolton, Dereck, and Bryson with a special trip to her classroom treasure box — a small but meaningful thank-you for their life-saving heroism.