Prairie Trail School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'
Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Prairie Trail School teacher Aprilanne Lynch as a "Symetra Hero in the Classroom" on Oct. 15, 2014 during a surprise presentation. Lynch teaches fifth grade at the Wadsworth school.
"Aprilanne Lynch has an unwavering commitment to Prairie Trail School's students and parents. We have incredibly high expectations at Gurnee District 56 and have been nationally recognized for our technology innovations. Ms. Lynch is an essential team member in facilitating our school and district-level goals. In a year when the entire district experienced its highest achievement scores in terms of student growth, she was - and is - among the very best," said Kevin Simmons, principal of Prairie Trail School. "Ms. Lynch runs our Great American program, is the leader of our new teacher mentor program and participates on a number of district-level committees. Somehow, she still manages to tutor students after school, meet with parents and provide them with instruction on how to support their children, attend our parent and student outreach meetings for at-risk students and coordinate special student events like our graduation ceremony." Simmons nominated Lynch for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.
"Ms. Lynch gives tirelessly to her students, supporting them during her lunch period or their recess, after school, in the evenings and on the weekends. She routinely receives some of our most demanding and at- risk students, building lasting relationships with students who struggle with behavior and academics," said Simmons. "To one and all, she is a role model and a positive leader."
Lynch is one of 16 K-12 teachers in the Chicago area who will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2014 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $1,000 donation for classroom books and supplies. In addition, they receive tickets to a Bears home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Soldier Field. Lynch will be recognized at the Oct.19 game when the Bears take on the Miami Dolphins.
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 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at
www.SymetraHeroes.com/Bears.