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Community Corner

Sunset Ridge Elementary School Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, Wells Fargo and the San Francisco 49ers honored Sunset Ridge Elementary School teacher Debby Lyttle as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” during a school assembly on Oct. 8. Lyttle teaches fifth grade at the Pacifica elementary school.

“Mrs. Lyttle is one of those teachers that students remember for their lifetimes. Her classroom is designed to teach not only academics, but also how to be a good citizen for the community,” said Janeen Castaneda, the parent of a former student. “Mrs. Lyttle demonstrates that everything we do in life matters. Her classroom motto is ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ One project had students take wrist bands that read ‘You Make a Difference’ out into their world. The children were charged with finding someone — another student or an adult — that they believed made a difference in the lives of others. Two years later, at a parent award dinner, an award recipient was wearing one of those wristbands. She talked about how one of Mrs. Lyttle’s students had given it to her, how she has never taken it off and how it inspires her to do whatever she can for her school and community.” Castaneda nominated Lyttle for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Mrs. Lyttle treats every child as if they are her own, loves them despite their differences, creates conditions in which they grow and thrive, and helps them learn from their mistakes while being firm and fair,” said Castaneda. “Students who have had Mrs. Lyttle, as well as those who simply know her, continue to return to the school to visit and share their successes and problems with her. She has become more than a teacher to these young people; they know she is genuinely interested in their lives long after they have moved on to another school.”

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Lyttle is one of 16 K–12 teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area 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 49ers home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Candlestick Park. Lyttle was recognized at the Oct. 13 game when the 49ers took on the Arizona Cardinals.

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.

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More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at www.SymetraHeroes.com/49ers.

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.




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