By the end of 2020, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), better known as COVID-19, had produced over 82,357,482 confirmed cases and 1,802,393 related deaths worldwide. The first pandemic many had ever experienced, the call of duty for public health professionals in the United States and globally was strong. While the contributions of doctors, nurses, and first responders are frequently acknowledged in the media and health-related publications, forgotten key players include health education specialists. Because of their critical role in public health preparedness and response, special attention should be given to their work during disasters and public health emergencies. As the Screening Manager of the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 Testing Center located at Bergen Community College, I observed firsthand how COVID-19 made people suffer, but also the resilience among health education specialist responders. Using narrative inquiry to detail my response experience, this dissertation offers the world my story, while highlighting the onset of the pandemic in New Jersey from March to June 2020 and the practice of incorporating relevant health education competencies.