Benteen Elementary School teacher Jason Paggett honored as ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra, SunTrust and the Atlanta Falcons honored Benteen Elementary School teacher Jason Paggett as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” during a surprise school assembly. Paggett teaches first grade at the Southeast Atlanta elementary school.

“Jason Paggett creates exciting, effective and fun lessons for his first-grade students. Using a variety of teaching strategies to accommodate different learning styles, he works hard to ensure that students leave the classroom each and every day understanding the concepts that were presented to them,” said Shenita Searcy, a school colleague. “As a matter of fact, Mr. Paggett sometimes strays from the traditional pacing of the curriculum and sets higher expectations for his students with remarkable results. As a kindergarten teacher, his students often were engaged in more advanced lessons that saw nearly 75 percent of the students test on a first-grade reading level prior to their departure from kindergarten!” Seary nominated Paggett for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Mr. Paggett demonstrates a positive attitude at all times. His nurturing classroom environment conveys a clear message about the importance of learning to students and parents alike,” said Searcy. “Mr. Paggett’s assiduous stance on education regularly places him in the limelight for recognition. Not only is he recognized as the 2013–14 ‘Teacher of the Year’ at Benteen Elementary, he also has been considered for the same honor at the district level. Benteen’s staff all look forward to Mr. Paggett’s smiling face every day as he demonstrates his commitment to our students, school and community."

Paggett is one of 16 K–12 teachers in Georgia who will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2013 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 Falcons home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at the Georgia Dome. Paggett will be recognized at the Nov. 10 game when the Falcons take on the Seattle Seahawks.

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/Falcons.

About Symetra
Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. 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.