This hero wears a whistle

SILSBEE — When a student’s life hung in the balance inside Edwards-Johnson Memorial Silsbee Middle School, teacher and coach Morgan Robberts turned to two things he knew he could rely on: his emergency training and his faith in God. Robberts, a sixth-grade world cultures teacher who also coaches football and baseball at Silsbee High School, is being praised for saving a student who began choking on a peppermint during a transition between classes. Another teacher brought the distressed student to Robberts’ classroom, where he immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation. “When the student was brought to my door, they were already red, turning blue,” Robberts said. “I immediately just grabbed the student up and went into the hallway to do the Heimlich maneuver and started calling for help.” As Robberts performed the lifesaving maneuver, the student’s condition continued deteriorating. Despite his training, Robberts said he had never faced anything quite like it. “I was just praying the whole time,” Robberts said. “I was like, Jesus, just put your hand over the situation.” Robberts said the entire emergency lasted approximately one minute, although the seriousness of what had happened did not fully register until afterward. Once the student was breathing again and out of danger, Robberts was overcome with emotion. “I actually just fell down on a knee,” Robberts said, recalling the moment he realized the student would survive. For Robberts, the outcome was not something he wanted personal recognition for. Instead, he repeatedly credited God for placing him in the right position to help. “I was just where God had me at that time,” Robberts said. “I’m not going to take a whole lot of credit for it.” Karl Whitley, serving his first year as principal of Edwards-Johnson Memorial Silsbee Middle School, praised Robberts for his actions. “Coach Robberts is a hero. He’s my hero,” Whitley said. Whitley said the incident demonstrated the importance of emergency preparedness and the dedication of school employees to protecting students. A Silsbee graduate who attended Lamar University, Robberts now teaches and coaches in the same community that helped raise him. But above all, Robberts hopes his experience serves as a testimony to his faith. “I’m just thankful that God had his hand over the whole situation,” he said. For Robberts, what others are calling an act of heroism was simply an opportunity to serve God and a student who desperately needed help.