Daniel Wright teacher honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'
Symetra Financial Corporation, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Daniel Wright Junior High School teacher Jill Wechselberger as a "Symetra Hero in the Classroom" on Dec. 12 during a surprise school presentation.
Wechselberger is a learning behavior specialist at the Lincolnshire junior high school.
"If a hero is someone who is changing students' lives, then Mrs. Wechselberger is my hero. She is the one who makes sure I learn how to stay organized and on top of all my work. She is there for me every day - for whatever I am having trouble with," said Noah Thomas, a student at Daniel Wright Junior High School.
"If I don't understand a math assignment, Mrs. Wechselberger can teach me in a way I can understand it. If I can't figure out how to get started with a book report, she helps me break it down into smaller chunks. When Mrs. Wechselberger started helping me be more organized, I felt like I could handle school more."
Thomas nominated Wechselberger for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award.
"Mrs. Wechselberger is very kind, fun, determined and energetic," said Thomas. "Besides helping me learn to manage my time and do all my classwork, she is easy to talk to when I am having a problem. Mrs. Wechselberger is my hero because she helps makes school easier. She is awesome!"
Wechselberger is one of 16 K-12 teachers in the Chicago area 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.
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.
Symetra Financial Corporation 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 advisers.
For more information, visit www.symetra.com.
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