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

Symetra, SunTrust and the Atlanta Falcons honored Avery Elementary School teacher Tracy Lang as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 8 during a surprise school assembly. Lang teaches first grade at the Canton K–5 school.

“Tracy Lang doesn’t come to school each day looking for recognition or praise. She comes because of her passion for the little people entrusted to her care. She gives 110 percent to help them succeed, differentiating instruction to best meet the needs of each student. It is obvious after just seconds in her classroom how much love she has for her students, and they absolutely adore her,” said Tori Sinco, a teaching colleague and the parent of one of Lang’s students. “Mrs. Lang doesn’t put limits on her students simply because they are in first grade. Instead, she makes them believe they can do anything if they simply try.” Sinco nominated Lang for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Mrs. Lang embraces differences and makes students adore school, which is so important in the critical early years where students form an opinion about school,” said Sinco. “My son is lucky enough to be in Mrs. Lang’s class. She helped him adjust to this very new setting, encouraging interactions with other students in the classroom during the first week of school. My son feels very much a part of her classroom community and has gone from being incredibly nervous about first grade to crying on Saturday because he can’t go to school. This experience will stay with him for the rest of his life; he thinks school is amazing and that is due to his truly amazing teacher.”

Lang is one of 16 K–12 teachers in Georgia who will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2015 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 Falcons home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Lang was recognized at the Oct. 11 game when the Falcons took on the Washington Redskins.

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/Falcons.

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.