Symetra and Seattle Seahawks Host 16 “Symetra Heroes in the Classroom” including two from Shoreline schools

014 Symetra Heroes Recipients
Photos by Corky Trewin

Recipients at CenturyLink Field Celebration 

Two Shoreline School District teachers among 2014 honorees

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored the 16 Puget Sound-area teachers who were recognized as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® during the 2014 NFL season, at a special celebration at CenturyLink Field on March 20.

Among the 2014 honorees were two Shoreline Public Schools teachers: 

• John Herold — Meridian Park Elementary School
• Bill McMurray — Kellogg Middle School

Jim Pirak, Symetra SVP, Marketing, and Mike Flood, Seattle Seahawks VP, Community Relations and Special Projects, hosted a luncheon in the Coach’s Loft, welcoming the teachers, their school principals and special guests, including Shoreline Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Miner.

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 his or her “Heroes” award and a copy of the March 20 edition of the Seattle Times, which featured a ¼-page ad saluting all 16 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recipients.

Seahawks Linebacker Brock Coyle was a special guest, joining the teachers, principals and guests in the players’ locker room.

“You’re here for these kids and you teach these kids. But truly know and understand the impact you can have on young kids’ lives because truly with me, it’s the case,” said Coyle, who made the team last year as a rookie free agent from the University of Montana. 

“You guys are a huge influence in young people’s lives and, honestly, I look up to people like you because you guys are really the people who make the difference in the community and in life.”

Read more about the 2014 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom teachers’ visit with Coyle on the Seattle Seahawks website: Brock Coyle on Symetra Heroes: ‘They’re the important ones’

Shoreline Public Schools’ Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Profiles:

Teacher:         John Herold (Kindegarten)

School:            Meridian Park Elementary School, Shoreline

Principal:       David Tadlock

Nominator:    Parent of a student

Game:             Oakland Raiders (Nov. 2)

“John Herold is a perfect example of a teacher that leaves a lasting impression on his students. He not only challenges students to be responsible, respectful kindergarteners, he also makes learning the most exciting thing in the whole wide world for them,” said Ann Yee, a Meridian Park Elementary School parent. “All three of my children have had Mr. Herold as their Kindergarten teacher, and my older children still remember all of the positive comments he made. He has a way of making each and every five-year-old in his classroom feel like a superstar.”

Teacher:         Bill McMurray (7^th Grade Science, Basketball coach)

School:            Kellogg Middle School, Shoreline

Principal:       Lisa Gonzalez

Nominator:    Teaching colleague

Game:             New York Giants (Nov. 9)

“Bill McMurray is the ultimate hero both in and outside of the classroom. For more than 30 years, he has taught and coached with a consistent passion and energy I’ve seldom seen replicated,” said Nathan Courtney, a teaching colleague at Kellogg Middle School. “Bill goes about everyday with an upbeat and positive attitude that naturally rubs off on all those lucky enough to know him. He teaches his students to love science and life by leading science sing-alongs, making personal connections to content and relating science to current world events.”

One of the things that I have learned in my 10 years teaching middle school is that sometimes the teaching content is secondary. Middle school can be a challenging time for many students, but when a student is lucky enough to have Bill as their science teacher or coach, they soon find out that they have an adult in their life who truly cares about them and wants them to succeed.”

About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom^®

Since 2006, 200 Puget Sound-area teachers have been honored as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations. They receive tickets to a Seahawks home game, where they are acknowledged during on-field presentations at CenturyLink Field. In addition, Symetra makes a $1,000 donation to each teacher Hero’s school for classroom books and supplies. Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student’s parent. The winners are selected based on their ability to make a real difference in students' lives; to go above and beyond in their day-to-day responsibilities; and to help students build life skills. More information about the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program here.