Rickover Junior High School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Rickover Junior High School teacher Michael Clay as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Sept. 11 during a surprise school assembly. Clay is a Physical Education instructor at the Sauk Village junior high school.

“You can tell that Michael Clay has a passion for his job. His love of education, fitness and sports is evident in every lesson he teaches,” said Kristen Palmer, a teaching colleague. “Mr. Clay always looks for the positive rather than the negative. He tells everyone to smile, explaining that it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown. With all of the different negative things that can go on in the community, Mr. Clay finds ways to turn a bad day into something great for Rickover’s staff and students.” Palmer nominated Clay for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Mr. Clay is always telling students to create their own positive life story,” said Palmer. “He spends countless hours before and after school working to improve academic achievement with Rickover’s students. He has helped numerous students get into private high schools, and many have earned scholarships and continued on to college.”

Clay 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 2015 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $1,000 donation for classroom books and supplies. In addition, they receive tickets to a Bears home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Soldier Field. Clay will be recognized at the Sept. 13 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.

More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at www.SymetraHeroes.com/Bears.

About Symetra
Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. 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.