Eastvalley Teacher Is Classroom 'Hero'

Symetra Financial, SunTrust Bank and the Atlanta Falcons honored Eastvalley Elementary School teacher Stephanie Hestad as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Sept. 7 during a special assembly. Hestad is a kindergarten teacher at the East Cobb school.

“Eastvalley Elementary has a magical secret in their midst that empowers kindergarten students to have an academic, social and cultural edge beyond their parents’ wildest dreams — and her name is Stephanie Hestad,” said Carolyn Polakowski, a parent who nominated Hestad for the award. “For more than a decade, Mrs. Hestad has created passionate scholars, enthusiastic readers, animated mathematicians and song masters among her population of five- and six-year-olds.”

Creative learning is a hallmark of Hestad’s teaching style. For a space and astronomy study unit, she dressed in a full NASA flight suit, staying in character throughout multiple lessons taught from a specially created classroom space station. Hestad engages local business and civic leaders for an annual “City Day,” in which the school cafeteria is transformed into a town complete with retail shops and businesses. Students get to experience everyday activities like banking, mailing a letter or visiting the doctor.

“Stop any parent in the car pool line and ask about Mrs. Hestad,” adds Polakowski. “Everyone has a fabulous story to share about how their child and their entire family has benefited from this remarkable woman, who sets a new standard for teaching excellence in our school community.”

Hestad is one of 16 K-12 teachers across Georgia 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 Falcons home game and are acknowledged during on-field presentations at the Georgia Dome. Hestad will be recognized at Sunday's game when the Falcons take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

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.