Madison Elementary School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Gallagher Benefit Services and the Chicago Bears honored Madison Elementary School teacher Kristie Wurglitz as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 2 during a surprise classroom presentation. Wurglitz is the Special Education instructor at the K–2 school located in Skokie.

“Kristie Wurglitz is a great Special Education teacher who truly cares about her students. Whatever a child’s unique needs are, she puts her all into each student,” says colleague Julia Klein. “Kristie understands her students’ individual needs; she wants each child to grow academically as well as outside the learning environment. Arriving early and staying late, she helps prepare students by building their classroom social and academic skills — and her students truly respond to her as a teacher. She changes these kids’ lives.”

Klein nominated Wurglitz for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Wurglitz 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. Wurglitz was recognized at the Oct. 4 game when the Bears took on the Oakland Raiders.

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 and at www.facebook.com/ChicagoHeroesInTheClassroom.

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.