Symetra, Chicago Bears Honor Camras Engineering School Teacher

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Marvin Camras Children’s Engineering School teacher Jackie Leong as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Aug. 28, during a school faculty meeting. Leong is a physical education instructor at the PK–8 school, located in Chicago’s Belmont-Cragin neighborhood.

“Jackie Leong is a dedicated P.E. teacher here at Camras, a large, urban school with a diverse student population. She not only provides daily physical education lessons, but also secures opportunities for our students that go beyond our neighborhood. She has planned field trips to bring kids ice-skating and to hockey games — activities that many students have never experienced before,” wrote school colleague Peggy Smith in her nomination.

“Mrs. Leong works tirelessly. She arrives at school early in the morning to provide a floor hockey club. She has coached volleyball teams, which requires her to work on Saturdays. Since many of our students do not receive any physical education outside of the school setting, these additional programs make a real difference in their lives. Whether running these activities, staying late on a Friday to run Family Fit Night or chaperoning a school dance, Mrs. Leong is definitely an asset to our school and contributes in so many positive ways!” Smith nominated Leong for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Leong is one of 16 K–12 teachers in the Chicago area who will be honored for educational excellence through the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® program during the 2019 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. Leong was recognized at the Sept. 5 game, when the Bears took 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 630 K–12 teachers nationwide for educational excellence during the NFL regular season, and Symetra has contributed $1.1M for school books, equipment and programming. The teacher-recognition program has celebrated 144 Chicago-area educators since 2010.

Each of the 16 Chicago-area schools with a 2019 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 2020 and the winning submission will be announced at a springtime event at the PNC Center at Halas Hall for the 2019 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.