IHSCA Teacher Named 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy teacher Mihir Garud as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Sept. 21 during a school presentation. Garud is a 9th-grade consumer education instructor at the public charter high school in Southwest Chicago.

“Mihir Garud believes that being financially literate can greatly impact the trajectory of someone’s life, especially for those who come from low-income households. It’s part of what makes him such a passionate teacher,” said district colleague Natasha Carlsen. “Mihir helps enhance his students’ educational experience by partnering with outside organizations like Grant Thornton LLP, which participates in monthly seminars hosted by the school’s Business Club and open to all students. Mihir’s classes have visited the Federal Reserve Bank to see how the economy is governed and the UK Department of Trade to learn first-hand how countries trade with each other. These are just some of the examples of a teacher who acts as a mentor to his students and is committed to helping them build important life skills that they can use after high school.” Carlsen nominated Garud for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Garud 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 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. Garud will be recognized at the Sept. 30 game, when the Bears take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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.