John Hersey High School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored John Hersey High School teacher Britt Connell as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Sept. 12, 2014 during a surprise classroom presentation. Connell is an English instructor at the Arlington Heights high school.

“Mrs. Connell goes above and beyond when it comes to teaching the beautiful thing we call the English language,” said Laura Bjankini, a Hersey student. “For example, one weekend evening I emailed Mrs. Connell a question about The Great Gatsby. Many teachers would simply have emailed me back the answer. Instead, Mrs. Connell said she would ‘love to discuss’ this with me, and asked me to come in and talk with her. What followed was an entire class period of my absolutely favorite thing — talking about an interesting book with an interesting person. I will treasure that discussion for the rest of my life. She not only answered my question, but also opened my eyes to so many different interpretations that I otherwise would have never been aware. Every text we discuss, she teaches me that there is so much more to language than meets the eye. And I will be forever thankful for that.” Bjankini nominated Connell for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“I have learned more about the subject of English from Mrs. Connell than all of my previous years of English class combined,” said Bjankini. “But what is even more important is that she has taught me — and innumerable other Hersey students — how to be a better person.”

Connell is one of 16 K–12 teachers in the Chicago 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 Bears home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Soldier Field. Connell will be recognized at the Sept. 28 game when the Bears take on the Green Bay Packers.

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/Bears.

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.