Loyal Heights Elementary School First Grade Teacher Patricia Magnuson was one of 24 Puget Sound-area teachers who were recognized as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom during the 2012 NFL season.

A Symetra Hero is nominated by a principal, staff, students or students' parents. 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.

The heroes receive a $350 Office Max gift card for classroom supplies and tickets to a Seahawks home game, where they are acknowledged during on-field presentations at CenturyLink Field. In addition, Symetra makes a $1,000 donation to each teacher Hero’s school.

On Friday afternoon, May 24, 2013, Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored the 24 Puget Sound-area teachers at a special celebration at CenturyLink Field.

Jim Pirak, Symetra SVP, Marketing, and Mike Flood, Seattle Seahawks VP, hosted a luncheon in the Coach’s Loft, welcoming the teachers, their school principals (including Loyal Heights Elementary Principal Wayne Floyd) and special guests, including Shauna Heath, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Seattle Public Schools.

Following lunch, the teachers received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, which included taking in a view of the field from the press box. The festivities wrapped up in the Seahawks locker room, where each teacher was surprised with a “customized” locker complete with nameplate. Each teacher’s locker’s contents included a plaque commemorating his or her “Heroes” award and a copy of the May 24 edition of the Seattle Times, which featured a 1/4-page ad saluting all 24 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recipients.

Seahawks Left Tackle Russell Okung was a special guest, joining the teachers and guests in the players’ locker room. Okung shared a very personal story about his fourth grade teachers Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Cook. “Those two teachers, they believed in me,” he said. “They took me aside and they took that extra step to get me right. They had a level of belief in me that I didn’t have in myself. The patience they showed in me paid off.”

For more information about the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program or to nominate a teacher, visit www.SymetraHeroes.com/Seahawks.

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