Symetra, Seahawks Honor Einstein Middle School Teacher

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Einstein Middle School teacher Mariko Lane as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Sept. 17 during a surprise school presentation. Lane is the band and orchestra director at the Shoreline school.

“Mariko Lane’s enthusiasm, humor and love for what she does is evident from the moment you walk into the band room. You can feel her energy. She’s always moving, she’s always talking, she’s always expecting more from her musicians and in return her students play their best for her,” wrote Pamela Uran in her nomination. “There are not many of us who remember middle school fondly, but I am certain Mariko’s students will never forget her passion for music, for teaching them, and for her leadership during this transformative time in their lives. Mariko’s students are becoming better musicians because of how well she teaches; they are becoming better people because of how well she leads. How lucky are my children to have Mariko Lane as their teacher?”

Lane 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 2019 NFL season. Honorees are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and Symetra makes a $2,000 donation to each teacher-Hero’s school for classroom books and supplies. Teachers also receive tickets to a Seahawks home game, where they enjoy a pre-game sideline experience and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at CenturyLink Field. Lane will be recognized at the Oct. 3 game, when the Seahawks take on the St. Louis Rams.

Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student’s parent. The honorees 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.

About Symetra Heroes in the Classroom®

Since 2006, the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program has honored 600 K–12 teachers nationwide for educational excellence during the NFL regular season, including 264 Puget Sound-area teachers. In addition, Symetra has contributed more than $1M for school books, equipment and programming.

Each of the 16 Puget Sound schools with a 2019 teacher-Hero is eligible to participate in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom MVP Award, a $20,000 grant in support of innovative student programming. Proposals will go out to eligible schools in early 2020 and the winning submission will be announced at a springtime event at CenturyLink Field for the Heroes, their principals and school district leadership.

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