One instructor with the Mehlville School District Community Enrichment program has set out to teach 50 children first-aid training before she turns 50. 

Shantell Goldsby, mentor for United 4 Children and CPR instructor with community enrichment  has started a “50 by 50” challenge — her goal is to provide CPR and first aid training to 50 children by the time she turns 50. As of mid-July she has taught 43 children through different classes. 

Goldsby has been a Red Cross trainer since October 2021. She said she became certified to help out at United 4 Children because of a CPR trainer scarcity during the pandemic. Goldsby said she figured it would be an extra benefit to childcare providers since they were permitted to bring people in. 

As for her 50 by 50 challenge, Goldsby started it due to the loss of her cousin.

“She was found unresponsive in her home with her two young children. Although they couldn’t perform anything to help her, I felt like we have so many children in these homes … that it would be beneficial for children to have these skills needed to save a life,” Goldsby said.

She recently hosted a class for Mehlville students on July 9 through the district’s community outreach program. While the children who attend won’t be fully CPR certified, they do learn of the importance of first aid through Goldsby. 

Mehlville Community Enrichment Director Jenny Bess said Goldsby trained two groups of Mehlville students — one elementary and one middle school group. Goldsby said it was her first time teaching a group of older students in a long time, but Bess said she did a good job relating to them so they weren’t nervous during the class.

“She made the kids feel very welcome and at home and had them involved. Middle schoolers are hesitant for fear of embarrassment … but (Goldsby) said ‘You know what, let’s separate from your parents,’ … and she had them all sit in a circle and just had a conversation,” Bess said. 

Goldsby said it’s important to cater the class to the age group of the children, meaning some smaller kids don’t need to be burdened with the full detail of first aid situations. She said conversations about death or other serious situations should be handled by parents or guardians.

“For smaller ones I don’t go into detail like that. I don’t want their hearts to be overflowed with that responsibility. I just let them know ‘If you see someone that’s going down, this is what we need to do to help,’” Goldsby said. 

Currently Goldsby is open to classes at events like birthday parties or scout meetings, and she is also looking for volunteer help for classes. She can be reached goldsbys@united4children.org for more information about  the challenge.