Symetra, Seahawks Honor Finn Hill Middle School Teacher

Bellevue-based Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Finn Hill Middle School teacher Nova Frank as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 26 during a school presentation. Frank is a special education instructor at the grades 6–8 school in Kirkland.

“Nova Frank runs our transition program, an individualized program for special education students with significant challenges. The countless hours Nova invests in planning engaging, differentiated lessons for 12 students at different levels and learning speeds is no small feat, but she has single-handedly turned our transition room it into a functioning learning environment for all,” wrote teaching colleague Scott Kielty in his nomination. “Nova practiced law for many years before exchanging that career for the demanding, often-underappreciated role of a special education teacher. She wears a smile on her face and brings a true passion to her classroom every day because she loves her students — and they love her.”

Frank 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 2019 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. Frank was recognized at the Dec. 2 game, when the Seahawks took on the Minnesota Vikings.

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 600 K–12 teachers nationwide for educational excellence during the NFL regular season, including 270 Puget Sound-area teachers. In addition, Symetra has contributed more than $1M for schoolbooks, equipment and programming.

Each of the 16 Puget Sound schools with a 2019 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 2020 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, visit www.SymetraHeroes.com/Seahawks.