Symetra Financial and Seattle Seahawks Host 24 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recipients at Qwest Field celebration

Photo by Larry Gill.  See end of article for names.

On Friday afternoon, May 13, Symetra Financial and the Seattle Seahawks honored the 24 Puget Sound-area teachers who were recognized as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” during the 2010 NFL season, at a special celebration at Qwest Field.

Among the 2010 honorees were 11 Shoreline School District teachers, including:

• Nathan Courtney – Kellogg Middle School
• Dede Ford – Syre Elementary School*
• Bethany Ibach – Parkwood Elementary School
• Marcia Garrett – Einstein Middle School
• Kathy Hitchner – Ridgecrest Elementary School
• Mollie Merkley – Meridian Park School
• Kristin Mesler – Parkwood Elementary School
• Jill Owen – Shorewood High School
• Mark Owen – Highland Terrace Elementary School
• Kathryn Pihl – Echo Lake Elementary School
• Paul Villanueva – Shorewood High School*

(*Not featured in the photograph)

Symetra CEO Tom Marra and Seahawks President Peter McLoughlin hosted a luncheon in the Coach’s Loft, welcoming the teachers, their school principals and special guests, including Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Susan Enfield, Shoreline School District Superintendent Sue Walker and Alliance for Education Development Officer Kevin Boyce.

Following lunch, the teachers received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, which included taking in a view of the field from the press box. The festivities wrapped up in the Seahawks locker room, where each teacher was surprised with a “customized” locker complete with nameplate. Each teacher’s locker’s contents included a plaque commemorating their “Heroes” award and a copy of the May 13 edition of The Seattle Times, which featured a quarter page ad saluting (p. C3)  all 24 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recipients by name.

Seahawks Running Backs Coach Sherman Smith was a special guest speaker. Smith, a Seahawks alumni player and a former Redmond Junior High School teacher, spoke to the group about the profound impact they have on children’s lives.

“I want to congratulate all of you because I really understand what you do, and you guys are difference-makers,” Smith said. “You have all the qualities we look for in our players. You’re focused. You’re passionate. You’re dedicated. You’re responsible. You’re dependable. You’re accountable. You’re convicted about what you do.”

Background-Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Program

Twenty-four K-12 teachers across the Puget Sound area were honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2010 NFL season. Teachers from the Seattle, Shoreline and Renton public school districts were recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations. In addition, they received tickets to a Seahawks home game and were acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Qwest Field.

Teachers are 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 2010 teacher Hero was eligible for an MVP Award, which provides funding to enhance learning via an innovative student achievement program.

Three $10,000 grants were awarded at the end of the 2010 football season to Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Seattle, Shorewood High School in Shoreline and Lakeridge Elementary School in Renton.

[Photo:  STANDING, left to right, Tom Marra, Symetra CEO; Sue Walker, superintendent, Shoreline School District; Laura Ploudre, principal, Parkwood Elementary; Kristin Mesler, Parkwood Elementary School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Marcia Garrett, Einstein Middle School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Sue Porter, director of Teaching & Learning, Shoreline School District; Jill Owen, Shorewood High School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Cinco Delgado, principal, Ridgecrest Elementary School;Amy Jessee (black jacket), principal, Meridian Park School; Kathy Hitchner, Ridgecrest Elementary School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Paul Shanahan, principal, Echo Lake Elementary School; Mollie Merkley, Meridian Park School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Mike VanOrden, principal, Highland Terrace Elementary School; Jim Pirak, Symetra SVP, Corporate Marketing.

KNEELING, left to right, Bethany Ibach, Parkwood Elementary School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Kathryn Pihl, Echo Lake Elementary School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Mark Owen, Highland Terrace Elementary School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; Lisa Scott, assistant principal, Kellogg Middle School; Nathan Courtney, Kellogg Middle School and Symetra Hero in the Classroom recipient; and Bill Dunbar, principal, Shorewood High School.]