November 3, 2025 — It was a typical class change at Dickerson Middle School when an ordinary moment turned into a life-or-death situation. Within seconds, the school’s staff transformed training into action, saving a student’s life.
Megan Fisher and Maureen McLaughlin are more than just colleagues — they’re sisters. The pair teaches health and physical education at Dickerson. At the beginning of the school year, their bond and teamwork made all the difference. 
About two weeks into the new school year, Dickerson Principal Brad Blackman was standing near the school’s gym when he noticed a student in distress. “I thought the student was getting sick," he recalled.
Megan didn’t hesitate.
“I saw him open a water bottle with his mouth. He wasn’t twisting it. Then all of a sudden I didn’t see the cap come out, and he started to cough,” she said. “Everybody else just thought he was getting sick, but I said, ‘No, he’s choking.’”
Her sister Maureen quickly joined in.
“It’s one of those moments where you hope your instincts take over,” she said. “We’ve trained for emergencies like this, but you never really think you’ll have to do it.”
Working together, the sisters switched between the Heimlich maneuver and back blows until finally, the cap came loose. The student took a deep breath, and relief swept through the hallway.
“It felt longer than it probably was because our adrenaline was pumping,” Megan said. “But as soon as I saw what was happening, I knew Maureen was there to help me. It was comforting to have her there.”
Training that Made a Difference
School Nurse Vanessa Moulthrop was in her office when the call came through on the radio.
“I ran down the hall, but by the time I got there, they had already resolved the issue,” she said. “They responded so quickly that the student was breathing and completely fine by the time I arrived. I always joke that I’ve trained myself out of a job.”
Much of that training is thanks to Dickerson’s First Responder Team, a group of about 15 staff members from all grade levels and departments who volunteer to learn life-saving skills.
“They’re all certified in CPR, adult and child, and choking response,” Moulthrop explained. “We run multiple drills throughout the year to build muscle memory, so when a real emergency happens, they just react.”
That training paid off. Dickerson was recently recognized as a Heart Safe School by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a distinction awarded to schools that meet stringent emergency preparedness standards.
Leadership and Gratitude
Watching the situation unfold, Principal Blackman felt a rush of fear, but also pride in how quickly his staff reacted.
“Student safety is always our number one priority,” he said. “When you see a child choking, your first thought is ‘What can I do?’ But Ms. Fisher acted so quickly. There really wasn’t anything for me to do but let them carry it out.”
The reality of the moment didn’t fully set in until Principal Blackman was on his way home.
“It’s amazing because there are a lot of people who either wouldn’t know what to do or would panic or freeze,” said the Dickerson principal. “Later I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, they saved a kid’s life.’”
Principal Blackman later called the district to report what had happened.
“Because of their quick actions, they saved a life,” he said. “They didn’t panic. They didn’t run away. They jumped right in and did what they were trained to do.”
Heroes Among Us
Maureen McLaughlin and Megan Fisher honored as "Heroes Among Us" by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.
In October, Maureen and Megan were honored in front of principals from across the district and received the “Heroes Among Us” award. The sisters don’t consider themselves heroes.
“We just did what anyone would do,” McLaughlin said. “Our principal texted us that night and said, ‘Wow, you guys saved a life today,’” Megan added. “It didn’t really hit us until then that that’s actually what happened.”
Megan and Maureen say the moment reaffirmed what they already knew – that they’re part of a school and district that truly supports and cares for one another.
“We’re both from New York,” Megan said. “I followed Maureen here because she raved about how great the district was. It’s such a great community. We feel supported in everything we do.” Maureen agrees. “We have great leaders who care about what’s going on, not just in the school, but in our classrooms. It feels good to know they have your back.”
Their principal is grateful to have these real-life heroes on the Dickerson team and even more thankful they were there when it mattered most.
“They deserve every bit of recognition they get,” said Principal Blackman. “They’re the reason a family didn’t face tragedy that day. 'Thank you' doesn’t do justice.”
A Lasting Lesson
For the sisters, the incident reminds them why they became teachers in the first place.
“Every day there’s something new with teaching — things you definitely don’t learn in college,” Megan said. “But this was by far the biggest thing that’s happened for me.”
Because of their courage, training, and the strong community around them, one student’s life was forever changed.
