(Release Date: 04/19/2024 10:14 AM)

To understand why Riverside County Office of Education Instructional Assistant Jasmin Sandoval didn’t hesitate to jump into action when a non-verbal student in her classroom appeared to be choking on an apple, it requires a quick journey through her personal and professional history that reveals how her life experiences and training uniquely prepared her for this critical moment.

As it turns out, a lifetime of attunement to the journey of those living with a disability sparked Jasmin’s sense of duty, which led to her life-saving response on the morning of February 15, 2024.

Growing Up With A Heart For Those With Special Needs

Jasmin grew up as the youngest of five girls in her family with one of her sisters who is deaf. Little did Jasmin know that she and three of her sisters would go on to work at the Riverside County Office of Education in Special Education.

As far back as elementary school, Jasmin remembers a trip to the principal’s office after standing up to kids who were teasing a student with a disability.

In high school, Jasmin was part of the Sunshine Siblings Club that encouraged students to become friends with special needs students at Heritage High School in the Perris Union High School District. She also participated in activities with the Special Olympics.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for those with a disability, and my sister Yesenia encouraged me to apply to RCOE,” Jasmin said. “I started working as a substitute when I was 18, and I’ve been working with RCOE ever since. I always knew this would be the job for me. I still feel like I’m sticking up for the students because a lot of people don’t understand them.”

Jasmin’s current assignment is supporting the students and teacher in a Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH+) classroom—which includes students from Kindergarten to 5^th grade who are deaf/hard of hearing along with an additional diagnosis. The classroom at Palms Elementary School in the Perris Elementary School District serves a wide variety of students who range from non-verbal, to some who communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), and others who have partial use of their voice and hearing.

“Every student is different from each other, and they keep me on my toes all the time,” Jasmin said.

Becoming A Student Of Her Students

One of Jasmin’s favorite parts of her job is seeing her students grasp a new concept—revealing that she is making a difference in their lives.

“I love to see them smile, and when they are able to communicate with me,” Jasmin said. “We know that sometimes at home, their parents may not know ASL. But, here, they can communicate with us, and they are sometimes able to tell us about their weekend and about their life.”

Jasmin has learned that sometimes it takes unconventional methods to get to know the students in her classroom.

“Sometimes I will sit down and draw with a student who loves to draw and connect with them on something that they like. Other students love trees, or buckets, and we work with what interests them and learn when they are hungry, angry, or sad,” Jasmin said. “We learn to figure them out individually—because they aren’t all alike. There’s so much more to them if you get to know them.”

Saving A Life When Seconds Count

On Thursday, February 15, while students were eating breakfast in the classroom, Jasmin was preparing for a student dance exercise at the computer that was next on the day’s agenda.

Accustomed to the typical sounds and rhythm of her classroom, Jasmin noticed that one student’s laughter had abruptly turned into something else.

“It’s so normal to hear a whole bunch of noises across the classroom, but I heard something different,” Jasmin said.

Jasmin looked over and noticed that the non-verbal student’s face was turning red, he was fluttering his arms, and she immediately wondered if he was choking. Without hesitation, she put her training into action and administered several abdominal thrusts to the child from behind—quickly dislodging the piece of apple from the student’s airway.

“I just went into action and didn’t even have time to think,” Jasmin said. “I surprised myself at how fast I ran over to him as the adrenaline started running through my body. I’m not really a morning person, and I hadn’t even had my coffee yet.”

After he could breathe again, the elementary-aged student was able to use sign language to show his appreciation to Jasmin for what had just occurred.

“I think he realized in his own way what happened, and part of his reaction was to start laughing again,” Jasmin said.

RCOE Credentialed School Nurse Heather Hargraves was called, rushed to the campus to ensure that the student was safe, and initiated communication with the student’s parent. Out of an abundance of caution, paramedics were called, and Jasmin rode along to the hospital to facilitate communication between the student and paramedics using American Sign Language.

“In an emergency, there’s no time to pick up the phone,” Heather said. “Jasmin knew what to do. She saw him choking, and just jumped in.”

Thanks to Jasmin’s actions, the student was back at school the next day ready to learn.

When asked whether she considers herself a hero, Jasmin simply described how she was just doing her job, and that she was glad she was there that day.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in that situation in my life, but we practice for these moments—whether it’s CPR, or using an EpiPen, or inhalers. Seconds can make a difference,” Jasmin said. “I think it’s the top priority of our job, to keep kids safe, especially in classrooms like mine.”