Symetra, Bears Honor Ward Elementary School Teacher

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Bernard Ward Elementary School teacher Brandon Guernsey as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Dec. 13 at a surprise presentation during a school assembly. Guernsey teaches 5th grade at the K–5 school in Bolingbrook, part of Valley View School District 365U.

“Brandon Guernsey is the type of teacher that students remember with a smile 20 years later as they recall their ‘favorite’ teacher,” said Katie Thomas, a teaching colleague. “Brandon greets all students, not just his class, with a high-five every day at the front of the building. This sets a tone for the student's day — someone cares about them, someone is happy they are at school, someone believes that they can do great things today. That enthusiasm for learning is contagious.” Thomas nominated Guernsey for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Brandon is your classic root-for-the-underdog-type of teacher,” adds Thomas. “He is constantly telling his class, ‘I don’t care what reading group you were in last year. I don’t want to hear that you weren’t a writer in your past class. Today is a new day — and you have a new chance.’ This unwavering belief in their abilities challenges students to rise to the occasion and is just another example of Brandon’s ‘teacher magic!’”

Symetra is a national provider of employee benefits, annuities and life insurance. It established the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® teacher-recognition program in its Pacific Northwest hometown in 2006. Partnering with the Chicago Bears, the company has proudly honored more than 100 Chicago-area teachers since 2010.

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.

Guernsey 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 2017 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $2,000 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. Guernsey will be recognized at the Dec. 24 game when the Bears take on the Cleveland Browns.

More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at www.SymetraHeroes.com/Bears.

About Symetra

Symetra Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. 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.