Juanita High School Teacher Named ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Juanita High School teacher Timothy Magdziarz as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 14th during a school presentation. Magdziarz is a special education teacher for math at the Kirkland high school.

“Tim Magdziarz has had a substantial impact on Juanita High School’s special education and general education population over the past 18 years. As his co-teacher for several years, I have witnessed his exceptional patience in working with students who often have social, emotional and/or academic challenges. He gains their trust by listening and earns their respect by holding them accountable for their actions and decisions,” said colleague Meg Lewis. “Tim gives students hope and helps them develop strategies to navigate school and work. Each June, there are many seniors who owe their diploma to his continual support. Tim has had many offers to work at the district level, but his heart is in the classroom and working directly with students.” Lewis nominated Magdziarz for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Magdziarz is one of 16 K–12 teachers across the Puget Sound area that will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® program during the 2018 NFL season. Honorees are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and Symetra makes a $2,000 donation to each teacher-Hero’s school for classroom books and supplies. Teachers also receive tickets to a Seahawks home game, where they enjoy a pre-game sideline experience and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at CenturyLink Field. Magdziarz will be recognized at the Dec. 2 game, when the Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers.

Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student’s parent. The honorees 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, the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program has honored over 570 K–12 teachers nationwide for educational excellence during the NFL regular season, including more than 250 Puget Sound-area teachers. In addition, Symetra has contributed nearly $950,000 for school books, equipment and programming.

Each of the 16 Puget Sound schools with a 2018 teacher-Hero is 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 CenturyLink Field for the 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/Seahawks.

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.