Syre Elementary and Shorewood High School teachers honored as ‘Symetra Heroes in the Classroom’

Symetra Financial and the Seattle Seahawks recently honored two Shoreline school teachers as “Symetra Heroes in the Classroom.” 

Alisha Airhart, a second-grade teacher at Syre Elementary School, was recognized on October 25, 2011 during a special school assembly. 

Diana Dillard, a culinary arts, career and technical instructor at Shorewood High School, was celebrated on November 10, 2011 at a school event.

Syre's Ali Airhart with her Symetra Hero certificate.
Photo courtesy Symetra. Photo by Larry Gill.

Ali Airhart

“Ali Airhart is both teacher and cheerleader for her students; she celebrates each child and respects their individual learning styles. Above all, she exudes enthusiasm and makes learning fun,” said Barbara Rosser, a Syre Elementary School colleague. 

“If Ms. Airhart is teaching the curriculum around the second grade bug unit, it’s not unusual to see her dressed in a bug t-shirt, glasses and hat. Needless to say, the kids love it. Whether she acts out a lesson, dresses the part or just engages the student in problem-solving, she will have the student learning! They feel her commitment to their everyday learning and to their success in the classroom.” Rosser nominated Airhart for the Symetra Hero in the Classroom award.

“Ms. Airhart also communicates daily with her parents through emails and class newsletters — and they love her for it. She attends every school event, every evening performance and tries to be at her students’ sports games. She is an integral part of Syre Elementary and the entire Syre community.”

Diana Dillard in the Shorewood Culinary Arts classroom
Photo courtesy Symetra. Photo by Larry Gill.

Diana Dillard

“Diana Dillard has been a member of Shorewood’s career and technical education program teaching food, nutrition and culinary arts for five years. She also is a professional executive chef, highly respected in the Seattle area and national culinary arts communities,” said Bill Dunbar, principal at Shorewood High School. 

“Ms Dillard's contribution to our school community comes through her service to a wide variety of students who are interested in pursuing a career in the food service industry. The depth and quality of Shorewood’s program is highly unusual for the high school level. 

"In addition to a full course curriculum, students operate a catering and special events activity program that includes five ‘Guest Chef Dinners’ with local chefs — a unique and powerful experience for our youthful chefs. The program also hosts a culinary arts garden co-sponsored by the Washington State University Master Gardener's program.” Dunbar nominated Dillard for the Symetra Hero in the Classroom award.

“Through her role in Shorewood’s career and technical program, Ms Dillard works with all students regardless of their abilities, backgrounds or experiences,” said Dunbar. “She has told me many times that she views this teaching as her life's work because it imparts both life and vocational skills to students that are then transferable to their homes and potential employment, both in the culinary arts and to many other fields. 

'Ms. Dillard is an outstanding role model for youth — and an outstanding example of a professional woman who has chosen to give back to the community through her role as an educator.”

About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom

Airhart and Dillard are two of 24 K-12 teachers across the Puget Sound area who will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2011 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, where they receive tickets to a Seahawks home game. They also are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at CenturyLink Field. Both Airhart and Dillard will be recognized at the November 13 game when the Seahawks take on the Baltimore Ravens.

Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student’s parent. The winners are selected based on their ability to balance the core curriculum with students’ individual needs; build trust among students, parents and the community; and invest in their students’ long-term success.

In addition to honoring exceptional teachers on and off the field, each of the schools represented by a 2011 teacher Hero is eligible for an MVP Award, which provides funding to enhance learning in Seattle-area schools. Three $10,000 grants will be awarded at the end of the 2011 football season.

More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available here.

About Symetra

Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors.