Farnham Elementary School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Wells Fargo and the San Francisco 49ers honored Farnham Elementary School teacher Pam Craig as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Sept. 5, 2014 during a school assembly. Craig teaches fourth grade at the San Jose elementary school.

“When Pam Craig walks into a classroom, her smile lights up the room. She has an old-school way of teaching, but has no problem with change. She’s always looking for improvements when it comes to keeping kids interested and engaged in learning,” said Nancy Donaldson, the parent of both a former and current student of Craig’s. “Ms. Craig encourages each child to do their best and devotes many extra hours of her own time to help them do so. She uses her own money to help the kids get supplies or projects that the school can’t provide. She works hard simply because she loves teaching — and she’s outstanding at getting her kids to try harder.” Donaldson nominated Craig for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“I have six children, and I’ve seen many teachers—the good and the great,” said Donaldson. “Two of my sons have had Ms. Craig, and I consider her an outstanding educator. She is a teacher who comes up with so many great ways of getting her students to listen and learn. She has a way of choosing books that captivate a class’s attention, and her story-time is part drama lesson, with lots of animation. She make kids look forward to cooking projects, arts, music, dances, singing and fun Fridays. To quote her students, Ms. Craig is ‘awesome.’”

Craig is one of 16 K–12 teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area who will be 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 49ers home game and a special pre-game experience at Levi’s Stadium. Craig attended the Sept. 14 game against the Chicago Bears.

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/49ers.

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.