Symetra, Seahawks Honor Nathan Hale High School Teacher

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Nathan Hale High School science teacher Jessica Torvik as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 14 during a surprise presentation at the North Seattle school.

“Brilliant, creative and innovative, Jessica Torvik loves her work almost as much as she loves her students. Ms. Torvik teaches science and urban horticulture, and manages Nathan Hale's highly successful Urban Farm, where students who may have struggled in more mainstream classes find ways to be brilliant and successful. The farm is a year-long concern, where students produce thousands of vegetable and flowering plants, flower boxes, shrubs and trees, and much more, for communities around Nathan Hale and beyond,” said teaching colleague Doug Edelstein. “Ms. Torvik radiates confidence, a can-do ethic, and a spirit of inclusion and respect. She is also wonderfully funny and compassionate — a truly charismatic and influential teacher in the greatest sense of the words.” Edelstein nominated Torvik for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Science education at its best fosters a sense of wonder, awe and intense curiosity, and sets standards of knowledge that are among the highest elements of civilization. Ms. Torvik is a wonderful role model for young women who love science, and many of her students go on to careers in the hard sciences,” said Edelstein. “Hundreds of other Nathan Hale students have found new inspiration for school through her Urban Horticulture program, which offered them hands-on, real-life training and experience in all aspects of business, management and communications. Ms. Torvik is simply an exemplary teacher in every way, whose work will continue to reflect brilliantly on any program that recognizes her.”

Torvik 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. Torvik 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.