Glenbrook Off-Campus Center Teacher Honored as ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Glenbrook Off-Campus Center teacher Pa'al Joshi as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 3, 2017 during a surprise school assembly. Located in Glenview, Glenbrook Off-Campus is a small day school run by Glenbrook High School District 225 for students with special needs. All of the students enrolled at Glenbrook Off-Campus come from either Glenbrook North or Glenbrook South High School.

“Pa'al Joshi is the definition of dedication in education. His passion is helping kids succeed—period. He never tires and he never gives up, no matter how challenging the situation,” said Susan Frankel, a teaching colleague. “Pa'al provides his students with the structure they crave, even when they sometimes resist it. Invariably, students come to appreciate that he pushed them and believed in them when they didn’t have confidence in themselves. For many students, he is and has been a positive male role model, one who never gave up on them.” Frankel nominated Joshi for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Pa’al is a coach outside of the classroom as well as in it. He started a Special Olympics program in our district, acting as coach, team driver and fundraiser,” said Frankel. “He also coaches football in our district. He motivates students who are struggling to get involved in sports precisely because he understands the connection between mind and body.”

Adds Frankel, “As a coworker, you simply know that Pa'al would give the shirt off his back for these kids. He is extremely generous with his time, but has also been known to be equally generous with his money to help a student or colleague in need. I truly believe Pa'al lives and breathes Glenbrook Off-Campus Center, and he brings that dedication to life every day with his students.”

Joshi 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 2017 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $2,000 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. Joshi will be recognized at the Oct. 9 game when the Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings.

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 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.