‘Heroic’ Teacher In East Orange Saves Student, Earns Key To The City

EAST ORANGE, NJ — When a young child in her class started choking on a water bottle cap, JaNiece Jenkins didn’t hesitate. And that’s why her “heroic” actions have earned the East Orange teacher the key to the city, officials say.

Earlier this week, a grateful community gathered to sing praises for Jenkins, a third-grade teacher at East Orange Community Charter School (watch the video below).

Jenkins has earned wide accolades for her actions on April 6, when she gave one of her students the Heimlich Maneuver – likely saving his life. The nerve-racking incident was captured on surveillance video.

In the video, the student is sitting at his desk and drinking from a bottle of water, when he suddenly puts the bottle down and clutches at his throat. While his classmates continue their work – unaware that their peer is choking – he stands up and rushes across the room to a nearby sink, where he tries unsuccessfully to clear his airway.

The frightened child then runs back to his teacher's desk at the front of the classroom, frantically pointing at his neck. And as the other students start to realize what's happening, that's when Jenkins steps in.

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Some of the praise for Jenkins in the comments section of our previous article about the incident included:

• “What a great job. Thank God for teachers watching our children closely. That child is alive today because of a wonderful woman.”
• “Amazing job! She deserves a medal and recognition for her IMMEDIATE response. What a true hero for saving that boy’s life!”
• “Nothing but Love to that teacher and sincere happiness to the student who she saved from choking. You never know when something like this can happen, but keeping your head, and acting with the knowledge of performing the Heimlich, is what all teachers should be taught, and refreshed every year. Brought a tear to my eye as a parent who knows it could happen anywhere, at any time at any age!”

Apparently, they weren't the only ones who felt that way.

On Tuesday, East Orange Mayor Ted Green and members of the local police and fire departments were among a crowd of eager well-wishers who gathered to watch Jenkins earn the key to the city.

In addition to the key, Jenkins also earned proclamations from Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Following the presentation, East Orange first responders put on a demonstration of how to do the Heimlich Maneuver.

Jenkins accepted the honors humbly, saying that she was grateful that she was trained in first aid and CPR.

“All I was doing was saving my student’s life … just doing my job,” she said.

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