Lakeridge Elementary School Teacher Honored as ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Lakeridge Elementary School teacher Nicole Brown as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Dec. 5 during a surprise assembly. Brown teaches second grade at the K–5 school, located in Seattle’s Bryn Mawr-Skyway neighborhood and part of the Renton School District.

“Nicole Brown’s second-graders hit the ground running from the beginning of the school year. During the first week of school, she sets high, clear and consistent expectations,” said Lakeridge Elementary School teaching colleague Laretha Todd. “When visiting Nicole’s classroom, you can’t help but be in awe. You will witness a highly skilled educator guiding her students to reach their highest potential with just the right amount of support. Her second-graders come into my third grade classroom with great number sense, great reading and writing skills, and cooperative learning skills which support students in all subject areas.” Todd nominated Brown for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Nicole isn’t satisfied until her students are excelling. She works hard to challenge them so they meet standards—and tailors her instruction to help students having difficulty so that they can progress to successfully meet standards. She has worked tirelessly and spent additional hours after school tutoring students that needed extra support,” said Todd. “Nicole connects with families frequently to ensure her students are successful and that she meets their individual needs. Parents continue to share with me how much of an impact she has had in their children’s lives. She teaches her second-graders important life skills that prepare them for the world beyond their elementary school years.”

Brown 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 2016 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. Brown will be recognized at the Dec. 15 game when the Seahawks take on the Los Angeles Rams.

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 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.