George B. Carpenter Elementary School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'
Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored George B. Carpenter Elementary School teacher Sue Douglass as a "Symetra Hero in the Classroom" on Dec. 3 during a surprise assembly. Douglass teaches third grade at the Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 elementary school.
"Sue Douglass has been teaching nearly 20 years. Positive and upbeat, she cares deeply about our children, our families and our school," said Brett Balduf, principal of Carpenter Elementary School. "Sue is an excellent educator, who connects individually with each of her students and leads by example. She organizes a weekly flag songs activity with all of our third graders, teaching them the importance of patriotism - and then coordinates an activity where the children visit a local senior citizens' center so the students can perform there and connect with the residents." Balduf nominated Douglass for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.
"Sue loves to apply education to real life. She always finds unique ways to help students understand the importance of what they are learning," add Balduf. "One engaging strategy Sue often uses is 'Douglass Stories,' where she will find an interesting way to link something her students are learning to an interesting story that she or a family member experienced. Whenever Sue says, 'That reminds me of a Douglass story,' the students sit up attentively, ready for a humorous and engaging lesson disguised as story."
Douglass is one of the 16 K-12 teachers in the Chicago area honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during this 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. Douglass was recognized at the Dec. 4 game when the Bears took on the Dallas Cowboys.
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.
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. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.