Vicki Soto was shielding the children as she tried to get them into a closet.
Her family was told that's how she died.
"Her first instinct was to protect her kids," said her cousin, James Wiltsie. "And she did that, and unfortunately she didn't survive. She lost her life doing what she loved. I don't think she would have it any other way."
Vicki Soto was 27-years old.
She was a first-grade teacher and had been at Sandy Hook Elementary for five years.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE NEWTOWN SCHOOL SHOOTING SCENE
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