Harriet Gifford Teacher Named ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Harriet Gifford Elementary School teacher Marty Angelo as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 10 during a surprise classroom presentation. Angelo is a 6th grade teacher at the K–6 school in Elgin.

“Marty Angelo goes above and beyond every day for Harriet Gifford’s students. He has taught at our At Risk Title 1 School for 22 years, and his passion to serve these kids is second to none. He also serves as our technology coach,” said Principal Joe Corcoran. “Marty teaches with a positive attitude, challenging his students to be the best they can be and connecting with them on a personal level. He will supervise students eating breakfast in the morning before school and ride home on the bus at the end of the school day to ensure kids feel safe. If they’re absent from school, he has made home visits to explain assignments to students and their parents. It’s no surprise that former students often return to visit Marty, including one young man who joined the Army and came back to visit his former teacher while he was on leave.” Corcoran nominated Angelo for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Angelo 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. Angelo will be recognized at the Oct. 21 game, when the Bears take on the New England Patriots.

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.