Willow Bend Elementary Teacher Receives Surprise Honors
Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Willow Bend Elementary School teacher Erica Stawiery as a "Symetra Hero in the Classroom" on Oct. 11 during a surprise school presentation. Stawiery teaches kindergarten at the K-6 school in Rolling Meadows.
"Erica Stawiery is a dedicated, hard-working kindergarten teacher who invests much time and creativity in her lesson preparation. She has high expectations for all of her kindergarten students and tirelessly supports them to help them reach those expectations," said Sion Hsu, a former school colleague. "Erica makes a difference in both her current and former students' lives. Willow Bend is a very diverse school, but Erica manages to remember all of her students. Last year, she helped two 6th-graders, both former students of hers, who were having issues learn to work together. This is just one example of how Erica has a positive impact on students as well as on the culture of the entire school. She is helping create a school culture where all students can work together to make Willow Bend Elementary a better place."
Hsu nominated Stawiery for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.
Stawiery is one of 16 K-12 teachers in the Chicago area who will be honored for educational excellence through the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® program during the 2019 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $2,000 donation from Symetra for classroom books and supplies. In addition, they receive tickets to a Bears home game, enjoy a pre-game sideline experience and are acknowledged during on-field screened presentations at Soldier Field. Stawiery was recognized at the Oct. 20 game, when the Bears took on the New Orleans Saints.
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.
About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom®
Since 2006, Symetra Heroes in the Classroom has honored over 600 K-12 teachers nationwide for educational excellence during the NFL regular season, and Symetra has contributed more than $1M for school books, equipment and programming. The teacher-recognition program has celebrated 150 Chicago-area educators since 2010.
Each of the 16 Chicago-area schools with a 2019 teacher-Hero will be eligible to participate in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom MVP Award, a $20,000 education grant in support of innovative student programming. Proposals will go out to eligible schools in early 2020 and the winning submission will be announced at a springtime event at the PNC Center at Halas Hall for the 2019 Heroes, their principals and school district leadership.
About Symetra
Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, 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.