Mundelein High School Teacher Named 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'
Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Mundelein High School teacher Rob Bever as a "Symetra Hero in the Classroom" on Oct. 28, 2016 during a surprise presentation. Bever is a special education instructor.
"Rob Bever is a hero in the lives of many of the Mundelein students he teaches, directly and indirectly. Always a staunch advocate of the disadvantaged, he understands his students' challenges, but still has high expectations of them," said Jacqueline Niziolek, a school district colleague. "Rob teaches the curriculum in a way that is meaningful to his students' lives; it's authentic to real situations and provides strategies to scaffold their learning." Niziolek nominated Bever for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.
"Rob also teaches and supports a program called 'Gradpoint' in the afternoons and evenings. This alternative curriculum allows students who may have to work days, their own families to provide for, or who struggle to sit through classes an opportunity to finish high school by completing courses online," said Niziolek. "On a personal note, Rob is often a father figure to his students. He has discussions about life after high school and what is needed to be successful beyond school. Many of Rob's students will often come back to talk with him, for casual conversation or to ask for guidance."
"Rob recently received a text from a former student who let him know how Rob had helped change his life path in high school. The individual-now a police officer in a south suburb of Chicago-explained how he'd been headed into the life of a drug dealer, like members of his family. Thanks to Rob's guidance and support, he began to believe he could achieve anything and is now paying it forward in his own community. This is another snapshot of Rob's dedication-and of the impact he's had on his students' lives."
Bever 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 2016 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. Bever was recognized at the Oct. 31 game when the Bears took on the Minnesota Vikings.
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 is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. 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.