Two CPS Teachers Honored as 'Symetra Heroes in the Classroom'

Symetra and the Chicago Bears kicked off the 9th season of the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® teacher-recognition program in Chicago by honoring two Chicago Public Schools educators—Kimberly Speck of John H. Kinzie Elementary School and Meaghan Dolan of John M. Palmer Elementary School.

An eighth-grade mathematics and algebra instructor, Speck was surprised by Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey during a Sept. 5 classroom presentation, while third-grade teacher Meaghan Dolan was honored during a Sept. 7 school assembly, which was also attended by the Bears' chairman.

Speck and Dolan are two of the 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 Speck and Dolan will attend the Bears’ home opener on Sept. 17, versus the Seattle Seahawks.

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.

“Kimberly Speck is a dedicated teacher with a love for math that she enthusiastically shares with her students,” said Jacqueline Janeteas, a Kinzie Elementary colleague, who submitted the nomination. “Teaching pre-algebra and algebra to eighth-graders is no easy task, but Mrs. Speck always finds fun, exciting ways to get kids moving and learning in the classroom. She will come up with hands-on activities that have students writing on desks, killing zombies and using spaghetti — employing these creative methods to help kids learn the slope of a line. Her ability to teach with that kind of energy, engagement and love is a true inspiration to both her students and her colleagues.”

Palmer Elementary School Principal Jennifer Dixon nominated Meghan Dolan for her Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award. “Meahan Dolan is an exceptionally dedicated teacher who has a longstanding, positive impact on Palmer students. In the classroom, she provides high-quality, differentiated instruction for her students. A fierce proponent for the rights of children with special needs, she advocates for her students with learning disabilities each and every day. Passionate about teaching, she generously shares that passion and professional experience with her colleagues. Ms. Dolan is one of the finest teachers I’ve worked with in my 15-year career. Humble by nature, her work at Palmer has an enormous impact on the hearts and minds of students and everyone she works with every day. She inspires us all with the love and dedication she exemplifies.”

About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom®

Since 2006, Symetra Heroes in the Classroom has honored 568 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 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 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 PNC Center at Halas Hall for the Heroes, their principals and school district leadership.

For more information about the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program or to nominate a Chicago-area 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.