Symetra, Seahawks Honor Cleveland High School Teacher

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Cleveland High School teacher Teresa Scribner as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 1 during a surprise presentation at a morning staff meeting. Scribner is a journalism, graphic arts and multimedia instructor at the high school, located in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood.

“Teresa Scribner’s boundless vision and enthusiasm has had Cleveland Publications on an upward trend toward success ever since she arrived at Cleveland High School. Working closely with Ms. Scribner for the two years I was a student reporter at Cleveland Publications, I developed an enormous amount of respect for her,” said Hewan Mengistu, a former student. “Ms. Scribner is the foundation of Cleveland’s journalism program, concurrently leading both its newspaper and yearbook production. She built Cleveland Publications from the ground up. Without her, I don’t know that we would ever have dreamed of becoming an award-winning publication.” Mengistu nominated Scribner for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Ms. Scribner perfectly embodies Cleveland’s school motto: spirit, unity and progress. Everything she does is for students. Whether they have seen her running assemblies or selling concession at basketball games, every student knows who she is and how committed she is to Cleveland and to their education,” said Mengistu. “Ms. Scribner is an absolutely outstanding person — the perfect concoction of sass and class. Her dedication to Cleveland High School is contagious. Her incredible talents as an educator and her kindness behind the scenes makes her students become better people by the day.”

Scribner 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. Scribner will be recognized at the Nov. 20 game when the Seahawks take on the Atlanta Falcons.

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.