Avery Teacher Awarded 'Hero in the Classroom' Honor

An Avery Elementary School teacher has won another statewide honor.

Tori Sinco, who teaches fifth-grade math, was surprised Nov. 14 in the school media center when she was named one of 16 “Heroes in the Classroom” selected this year in Georgia by the Atlanta Falcons, SunTrust and Symetra.

“Tori Sinco is a leader in education who consistently strives to improve the academic lives of her students,” Collett said. “Her ability to encourage and motivate her class to try hard and believe they can succeed is unmatched. My daughter was a beneficiary of Mrs. Sinco’s extra help shortly after she began tutoring students on her own after school on Wednesdays. When a conflict arose with another after-school activity, Mrs. Sinco offered to help her another day so she didn’t feel like she was being punished by not being able to participate in the other activity. The result: Mrs. Sinco has truly made a difference in our daughter’s passion for learning, helping her grow into a confident, eager young lady.”

Collett nominated Sinco for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award.

Sinco earlier this school year was selected to present with a group of her students at the 2014 Georgia Educational Technology Conference; last school year, she won a prestigious Georgia Innovation in Teaching grant, and she is a previous Teacher of the Year for her school.

Sinco is one of 16 kindergarten through 12th grade teachers in Georgia who will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2014 NFL season.

Along with the surprise recognition at their respective schools, they will 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 the Georgia Dome.

Sinco will be recognized at the Nov. 30 game when the Falcons take on the Arizona Cardinals.

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.

Photo: Tori Sinco, second from right, was one of 16 Georgia teachers given the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award. Credit: Cherokee County School District