NEWTOWN, Conn. (WHDH) -- Many of the teachers and employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School paid the ultimate price in a heroic effort to save the children from the gunman.

When bullets started to fly out, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary, Dawn Hochsprung, ran toward the gunfire.

Witnesses said she went out into the hall, lunged at the gunman in an attempt to overpower him when she was killed.

The school superintendent praised the principal for her bravery.

"The principal of the school was running toward the shooter in order to protect her students. As was the school psychologist. One of the teachers helped people get out of a window. Incredible things that people did,” said Dr. Janet Robinson.

Earlier this week, she tweeted a picture of kids in the kindergarten class, taking part in a classroom activity.

Back in October, she tweeted a picture and wrote, "Safety first at Sandy Hook... It's a beautiful day for our annual evacuation drill!"

The heroic efforts of a young substitute teacher saved lives. Vicki Soto, 27, had her students huddled behind her in a closet protecting them from the gunman when she was shot and killed.

Her cousin said relatives spent agonizing hours waiting to find out what happened to her.

"And at that point, it was the hardest for the whole family, just the waiting game, to receive word on what happened to Vickie's class,” said James Wiltsie.

The school psychologist also ran toward the gunman when she was shot and killed.

Mary Sherlach worked at the school for more than 20 years and was one year away from retirement.