Jane Addams Teacher Named ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Jane Addams Elementary School teacher Alice Szczur as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Dec. 13th during a school assembly. Szczur is a special education instructor at the PK–8 school, located in Chicago’s East Side.

“Special education teacher Alice Szczur has been passionately teaching for nearly 25 years. A former Jane Addams student herself, she returned to the school in order to give back to her community, which does through educating our children,” said Melissa Ramirez, a school district colleague. “While Mrs. Szczur has the credentials to teach any grade level, she chooses to teach the children who need her most and is a tireless advocate for them. She forges a special connection with her students, who do not always easily connect with others. Mrs. Szczur’s gift is her ability to make her children believe in themselves. In her 25 years of teaching, she has truly changed thousands of lives.” Ramirez nominated Szczur for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Szczur 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. Szczur will be recognized at the Dec. 16 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.

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.