WILMINGTON — While on medical leave for her own cancer diagnosis, Shawsheen Elementary School teacher Sharon Gallo-Dunn found out one of her students was also diagnosed with cancer.

When the school sent out an email that a tutor was needed to help Brodie Rawson, who was in second grade at the time, Gallo-Dunn did not think twice about stepping up to the plate.

“I didn’t do anything a lot of teachers don’t do,” said Gallo-Dunn, of Chelmsford. “We always hope to make a difference in a kid’s life. That’s why you teach.”

Gallo-Dunn had Brodie in her second-grade class for the 2015-2016 school year. In October 2015, she underwent a surgery doctors thought would remedy her colon cancer, but it did not. She ended up leaving for the rest of the school year to complete 10 chemotherapy treatments. On days she was feeling well enough, she made sure to visit her students to see how they were doing. There was a six-week period Gallo-Dunn was very ill and could not make a visit again until April.

That’s when she found out about Brodie’s diagnosis of Burkitt Lymphoma.

“I’ve had, in my career at the Shawsheen, several children with life-threatening things,” said Gallo-Dunn, who has been teaching at Shawsheen Elementary for 21 years. “As a parent, it’s your biggest fear. I called (Brodie’s) mom to ask if I could visit and I went in the next day and visited him at Tufts Floating Hospital.”

Gallo-Dunn tutored Brodie at the hospital and later at his home once he was discharged. She also tutored him through the summer to help with his transition into third grade. Brodie started his third grade school year late, but the hospital sent a large stuffed monkey that sat in his classroom seat. Brodie named the monkey Steve, after his doctor. A journal was sent back and forth between Brodie as a way to support him.

The Cops For Kids With Cancer event came to Shawsheen Elementary School on June 15 to recognize Brodie. Little did Gallo-Dunn know, she would be acknowledged as well.

“Brodie talked about some things that some things that had happened to him and she had no idea that this was going to incorporate her in any way,” said Shawsheen Elementary School Principal Lisa King. “She’s just a very kind, very sweet and thoughtful teacher and colleague. She’s just always there whenever anybody needs anything inside and outside of school.”

When Gallo-Dunn arrived at the event she said Police Chief Michael Begonis approached her to say he was sorry for what she had to go through. In that moment, Gallo-Dunn was confused, not knowing her and Brodie’s story had been shared.

“When I’m toothless in the home, I’m going to remember this day,” Gallo-Dunn said of the event.

Gallo-Dunn was called up with Brodie to accept some flowers, hear more about Cops For Kids With Cancer and listen to a statement prepared by her colleagues praising her. The family was also presented with a $5,000 check from Cops For Kids With Cancer.

“My co-workers couldn’t be any nicer. They are so wonderful to me and they’re such good educators,” Gallo-Dunn said, adding that she was in tears Chief Begonis read the statement.

King said she wasn’t surprised at all when Gallo-Dunn offered to tutor Brodie, who will now be heading into the fourth grade. She said Gallo-Dunn is also known for fostering a close-knit, family type classroom that often incorporates the importance of community involvement and thanking people, like veterans, for the work they do. Next year Gallo-Dunn will have Brodie’s younger brother in her second-grade class, which she is excited for. She said it will also provide an opportunity to keep in touch with the family.

King said there are many examples of teachers making the school environment like a family.

“To me, children and families are the foundation of our society and our world,” Gallo-Dunn said. “We need to protect them and nurture them and teachers try to do their part in that. So, if we can make a difference, I think that’s our job besides math and reading.”

Follow Kori Tuitt on Twitter @KoriTuitt.