The life of a Grissom Middle School teacher was saved Friday when she was revived with an automated defibrillator, or AED, after she collapsed in a classroom at about 9 a.m.

The teacher, whose name and other health details have not been released, was taken to Palos Community Hospital by paramedics and is now in stable condition, said school nurse Anne Connelly-Mitros.

The teacher was sitting in her chair in a classroom with students when she fell to the floor without warning. Students were moved out of the classroom and Connelly-Mitros reported with the defibrillator.

“The AED was used on her because I did not feel a pulse,” she said, adding that it was the first time school officials have used one of its AED’s in an emergency.

“Once I realized it was a life or death situation, I just got into a mode that we had to do what we had to do,” she said. “We were very organized and it worked out very well.”

A social worker spoke with students from the class and made calls to their parents to explain what happened. Asst. Principal Annette Szczasny said the students were concerned about their teacher but they are being updated on her condition.

“We have let them know that she is in good hands and that there is constant contact between her family and the school,” she said.

As the day was winding down, Connolly-Mitros said the school was filled with a sense of relief that staff members had acted quickly and that their colleague was OK.

“We’re very, very happy here today,” she said. “As terrible as the situation is, it went smoothly.”

Superintendent Mike Byrne said he was thankful for the quick thinking of the school’s staff and for the defibrillator.

“It seems to me it really prevented something that could have been tragic,” he said. “We’re glad the AEDs are here and they did what they were supposed to do.”