Carl Von Linné teacher honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra Financial, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Carl Von Linné Elementary School teacher Eufrosina Delgado-Arroyo as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 4, 2011 during a special school assembly. Delgado-Arroyo teaches bilingual second grade at the Avondale neighborhood elementary school.

“Effie Delgado-Arroyo is a prime example of a teacher for whom going ‘above and beyond' in the classroom is second nature. She integrates the needs of all of her students into each and every lesson plan,” said Gabriela Franco, a colleague at Carl Von Linné Elementary School. “She gets to know her bilingual students, using their Spanish language to make vocabulary easier to grasp. She instills in them a love for reading and writing in English, while simultaneously teaching them to honor, cherish and be proud of their heritage.” Franco nominated Delgado-Arroyo for the Symetra Hero in the Classroom award.

Delgado-Arroyo freely shares personal stories with her students of growing up in a home with several siblings and hard-working parents, adds Franco. “Effie tells her students how she used to have to start dinner and make time for homework. By sharing some of the obstacles she faced as a young girl, she conveys a wonderful message: ‘If I could do it, you can do it,” said Franco. “I admire her unbelievable patience, her rapport with parents and her love of teaching. She is a true teacher-hero.”

Delgado-Arroyo 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 2011 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 on-field presentations at Soldier Field. Delgado will be recognized at the Oct. 16 game when the Bears take 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 balance the core curriculum with students' individual needs; build trust among students, parents and the community; and invest in their students' long-term success.

More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at www.symetra.com/heroes/bears/about.