A Bellmore second-grade teacher is being celebrated as a hero after saving a 7-year-old student from choking during snack time last week at Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center

Mrs. Hoffman noticed a second grader named Anderson stiffen and gesture that he couldn’t breathe while eating a gummy bunny.

Drawing on an annual choking response training from the school’s nurses, she quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver—three thrusts—and dislodged the candy, all while keeping calm to avoid alarming the rest of the class.

“I asked if he could breathe—he shook his head no—so I sprang into action,” Mrs. Hoffman said.

The school nurses praised her composure and correct technique, noting that time is critical in choking emergencies.

“She visualized it in her head, remained calm… it was out in three times,” one nurse recalled.

Anderson, who stayed remarkably calm himself, returned to class and finished the day without issue.

A week later, Anderson and his mother visited to thank Mrs. Hoffman in person, bringing Chick-fil-A gift cards and a small necklace.

“How do you thank someone who saved your son’s life?” the mom said.

As a nurse practitioner, she called the teacher’s actions “very impressive,” emphasizing that training is one thing—performing it under pressure is another.

Anderson added his own message: “Thank you for all you do and how nice you are. Love, Anderson.”

The family hopes the story reminds everyone of the value of school safety preparedness.