Ms. Jencie Fagan

Jencie Fagan, teacher at Pine Middle School, has been chosen as the Nevada finalist for the "Above & Beyond Citizen Honors" from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Jencie Fagan, a gym teacher at Pine Middle School, was selected as one of three national winners for an Above & Beyond Citizen Honor from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

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The organization is made up of the 107 surviving Congressional Medal of Honor winners, veterans who distinguished themselves on behalf of the United States during wartime.

Fagan and two other winners were recognized at a ceremony in thenation's capital Tuesday - National Medal of Honor Day.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.All Rights Reserved.)

Jencie Fagan, a teacher at Pine Middle School, was honored as Hero of the Year for confronting the gunman and talking him into dropping the weapon.

Jencie Fagan To Receive Chief's Commendation MedalPine Middle School teacher Jencie Fagan will receive the Police Chief's Commendation Medal from Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman today for her "uncommon courage and strength of character" in subduing a 14-year old student armed with a handgun in a March 14 incident at the school in which two other students were injured.

Ms Jencie Fagan -PE Teacher

jfagan@washoe.k12.nv.us

(Reno) --- Pine Middle School teacher Jencie Fagan has received the Police Chief's Commendation Medal from Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman.
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Fagan was preparing for classes in the nearby gym the morning of March 14 when she heard gunfire and without hesitation immediately proceeded in that direction.When she reached the main hallway, she saw the armed student as well as several other panicked students.She called the armed student by name and disarmed him.She then held the boy until other staff could arrive and assist.

Fagan does not consider herself any kind of hero saying she did what anyone else in her position would have done.Probably not, brave lady, probably not.

Jencie Fagan, teacher at Pine Middle School, has been chosen as the Nevada finalist for the "Above & Beyond Citizen Honors" from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The organization is the only one in the nation made up of the 107 surviving Congressional Medal of Honor winners, veterans who distinguished themselves on behalf of the United States during war-time.

For the citizen award there are 51 finalists (each representing one state and the District of Columbia); from that group, three will be selected as honorees at a ceremony on March 25, National Medal of Honor Day in Washington, D.C.

"I am deeply honored by this recognition," Ms. Fagan said, "especially since it comes from a group of people who been honored for the courage and sacrifices they have made for our country. Their appreciation makes this that much more special."

A gym teacher at Pine Middle School in Reno, Fagan was preparing for class on March 14, 2006, when she was interrupted by the sound of gunshots. Running into the hallway, she discovered an armed 14-year-old student randomly firing at his fellow classmates, wounding one.

Ushering nearby students to cover, Fagan, with complete disregard for her own safety, called out the student's name and approached him. Engaging him in an empathetic conversation, she was able to focus all of the boy's attention on her and away from the others.

She convinced him to put down his weapon. She then embraced the student and held him until police and other staff arrived.