Symetra, Seahawks Honor Kamiakin Middle School Teacher

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Kamiakin Middle School teacher Karen Knerr as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 24 during a school assembly. Knerr is a math instructor at the Kirkland school.

“Karen Knerr was my daughter's fifth grade teacher last year at Robert Frost Elementary School. Besides being an excellent instructor, Mrs. Knerr helped my daughter recognize that she is capable of working through challenges through resourcefulness and tenacity; the life skills and personal development she acquired are priceless and will travel will her for the rest of her life,” wrote Ana Proctor in her nomination. “Mrs. Knerr is a model for perseverance, accountability and responsibility to self and community.”

Knerr 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. Knerr will be recognized at the Nov. 3 game, when the Seahawks take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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 or to nominate a teacher, visit www.SymetraHeroes.com/Seahawks.