Fair Oaks School Teacher Named 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Wells Fargo and the San Francisco 49ers honored Fair Oaks School teacher Steven Borg as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Dec. 18 during a surprise school assembly. Borg teaches second grade at the K-8 community school located in Redwood City.

“Steven Borg works tirelessly and seemingly endlessly to give his Fair Oaks students everything he can to help them succeed and thrive both in and out of the classroom,” said Cashel O’Boyle, a teaching colleague. “Mr. Borg set up his classroom with a championship theme since a lot of his students are enthusiastic professional wrestling fans. He ends class each day by passing out ‘championship belts’ made out of colorful paper to students who demonstrated the qualities and behaviors he’s trying to promote: perseverance, effort, courage, problem-solving, creativity, responsibility, participation, kindness, leadership and respect. I cannot begin to explain how proud these children clearly feel when they’re photographed with their belts and receive the recognition, attention and applause of their classmates. They will often visit my classroom to proudly share with me what they earned in Mr. Borg’s class.” O’Boyle nominated Borg for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“When I think of the word ‘hero,’ I think of someone who saves or changes lives,” said O’Boyle. “Since we work in an impoverished neighborhood with many English learners and single-parent families, the teachers at Fair Oaks are a big part of our students’ lives — no teacher more so than Mr. Borg, positively and proactively changing the lives and futures of his students. Mr. Borg is a lot more than a second grade teacher. For the many in the Fair Oaks School community who come into contact with him on a weekly basis or have the great privilege of working alongside him, he is a mentor to his coworkers, a close friend and confidante to his students, and an overall inspiration to everyone with whom he comes in contact.”

Borg is one of 16 K–12 teachers in the San Francisco Bay 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 49ers home game and a special pre-game experience at Levi’s Stadium. Borg was recognized at the Dec. 20 game against the San Diego Chargers.

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.