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

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Cascade Elementary School teacher Jessica Powell as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 3 during a surprise school assembly. Powell is the intermediate Instructional Learning Center (ILC) instructor at the K–5 school in Renton.

“Every second a student spends in Jessica Powell’s class is enriching. As an Instructional Learning Center (ILC) teacher, she has a wide range of students with varying disability levels all in one classroom. She is patient, kind, and above all, makes her lessons fun for her students using compassion and differentiated instruction,” said Maria Hernandez, a Renton School District colleague. “Mrs. Powell prepares her students to reach their highest potential. She encourages them to push themselves to learn and share what they learn with their classmates. She also is a fantastic model of social skills, which are so important for these students. She was implementing Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) before it was well-known in schools and uses this practice to boost her students’ understanding of how to function in all areas of the school.” Hernandez nominated Powell for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Mrs. Powell uses integrated learning and recreation to allow her students full participation in activities like recess, music, etc., with the general education population. This might not seem like a big deal, but encouraging play and learning between students with severe disabilities and the rest of the student population has proven benefits for both sets of students,” said Hernandez. “Despite the fact that I no longer work in Mrs. Powell’s building, she has had an immense impact on my own approach to teaching. The world would be a better place if every teacher had the drive and passion that Jessica Powell does.”

Powell 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 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 Seahawks home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at CenturyLink Field. Powell was recognized at the Seahawks’ Nov. 15 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

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/Seahawks.

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.