Symetra, Seahawks Honor Smith Elementary School Teacher

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Samantha Smith Elementary School teacher Cara Byrne as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 25 during a surprise presentation. Bryne teaches third grade at the K–6 school in Sammamish.

“Each student is unique to Cara Byrne. They all have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. When a student presents a challenge, Ms. Byrne works to get to the root of the problem and doesn’t stop until she’s found a solution. She recognizes that what works for one student may not work for another,” said Kum Carroll, the parent of a student. “Ms. Byrne has high yet age-appropriate expectations of the students in her classroom, and they rise up to meet those expectations. As a second-grade teacher for many years, Ms. Byrne instilled more self-discipline in her students than many would believe possible for young children. They took their learning, classroom and homework responsibilities very seriously. This year, she and her third-graders collaboratively devised their own set of class rules. By involving her students in the process, it reinforced the importance of those rules in their minds.” Carroll nominated Byrne for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Ms. Byrne works to ensure that her students will be successful in life as well as setting them up for academic success,” said Carroll. “Most notably, she helps children develop the social and emotional skills they will need to become well-integrated members of society. Not only does she teach her young charges math, science, social studies and reading, she also instructs them in how to respect one another, how to listen and take turns in conversations, and other important life skills they’ll need beyond the classroom.”

Byrne 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 2017 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $2,000 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. Byrne was recognized at the Nov. 5 game when the Seahawks took on the Washington Redskins.

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.