Chicago Teachers Honored as ‘Symetra Heroes in the Classroom’

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears recently honored two Chicago schoolteachers during surprise presentations. Sandoval Elementary School teacher Delta Cervantes teaches 5th grade at the Gage Park neighborhood school, while Charles Pleasant is the music instructor at Henry O. Tanner Elementary School, located in the South Side's Park Manor community.

Cervantes and Pleasant are two 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 2018 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $2,000 donation from Symetra for classroom books and supplies. In addition, they receive tickets to a Bears home game, enjoy a pre-game sideline experience and are acknowledged during on-field screened presentations at Soldier Field. Both Cervantes and Pleasant will be recognized at the Dec. 9 game, when the Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams.

“Delta Cervantes is dedicated to having a lifelong impact on her students. She provides rigorous and challenging instruction in a safe and nurturing environment where students are not afraid to fail. Her philosophy is teaching the whole child in order to meet each student’s social, emotional and academic needs,” said Karen Beilfuss, the Sandoval colleague who nominated Cervantes. “Delta is a unique individual who combines the perfect balance of compassion and encouragement while maintaining high expectations. She inspires her students to push themselves beyond their limits, and they are willing to step outside of their comfort level because they know she is there to support them every step of the way. Delta makes a point to let each of her students know they are valued and accepted no matter their differences. She creates a culture of inclusion in her classroom and nurtures students to become lifelong learners.”

“Music teacher Charles Pleasant is a key part of Tanner’s Fine Arts program. Many of our students would never have the experiences they are receiving at such young ages in his classroom. He daily demonstrates his love of music by the quality of his instruction, which is nothing short of amazing, and by the sheer variety of genres his students are exposed to,” said Tracy Jones, a teaching colleague. “Mr. Pleasant shows students that music encompasses so much more than they may have imagined — it’s fun, different and cool.”

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.

About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom®

Since 2006, Symetra Heroes in the Classroom has honored over 570 K–12 teachers nationwide for educational excellence during the NFL regular season, and Symetra has contributed nearly $950,000 for school books, equipment and programming. The teacher-recognition program has celebrated more than 130 Chicago-area educators since 2010.

Each of the 16 Chicago-area schools with a 2018 teacher-Hero will be eligible to participate in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom MVP Award, a $20,000 education grant in support of innovative student programming. Proposals will go out to eligible schools in early 2019 and the winning submission will be announced at a springtime event at the PNC Center at Halas Hall for the 2018 Heroes, their principals and school district leadership.

For more information about the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program or to nominate a teacher, visit 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.