Two days after the monster category EF5 tornado that destroyed a large part of Moore, Oklahoma, killing 24 people including 7 children, we're learning about all the heroes who did everything in their power to save other people's lives. Since the devastating twister obliterated two elementary schools, many of these heroes are teachers who put their own lives at risk to protect their students. Undoubtedly, these kids' parents will be indebted to these amazing teachers for life.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 5 Pictures that will make you smile in the face of tragedy (PHOTOS)
Today we wanted to share some of their stories with you, not only because they're oustanding and deserve to be recognized, but also because some times it's easy to forget the extraordinary job our children's teachers do, how much they truly love them and worry about them and how willingly they'd give their lives for them.
Rhonda Crosswhite, Plaza Towers Elementary
The sixth-grade teacher threw herself on top of her students to protect them while they were hiding in the bathroom as the tornado ripped through Plaza Towers Elementary School. Later, she recalled that one child in particular kept on repeating, "I love you, I love you, please don't die with me."
Suzanne Haley, Briarwood Elementary
This first grade teacher was impaled in her leg by what ended up being a metal leg from one of the desks in the classroom while she tried to keep her students safe from the tornado's wrath. I can't imagine the pain and terror she must have felt, but somehow she kept calm so as not to scare the children.
Sheri Bittle & Cindy Lowe - Briarwood Elementary
These two teachers, who also teach first grade, saved their students' lives using their own bodies to cover them while the building disappeared in front of their very eyes. They instructed all children to cover their head with their backpacks and prayed with them throught the ordeal.
Waynel Mayes, Briarwood Elementary School
To make the situation less scary, this first grade teacher came up with the great idea of playing a musical game. She asked all her students to play worms and sing as loud as they could as they hid underneath their desks.
Jennifer Doann - Plaza Towers Elementary
This third grade teacher fractured her spine and her sternum while she held on tightly to the students sitting next to her so the 200 mph winds wouldn't take them. She spent the whole time reassuring her students that everything would be okay and that it'd soon be over.
