Maplewood Hts. Teacher Honored as ‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Maplewood Heights Elementary School teacher Briana Unti as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Oct. 14 during a special classroom presentation. Unti teaches first grade at the K–5 school in Renton.

“Briana Unti is a rare find as a teacher, and I wish every child had the opportunity to experience her just once in their school career. She was a life-changer for my daughter, who experienced some challenges upon entering first grade. Right away, Briana was in constant contact with my husband and me. She gave us the tools and resources we needed to successfully follow through with our daughter at home,” said Taryn Mauermann. “As a teacher, Briana embodies growing our children to be good people and good citizens, who make good choices. She teaches them how to overcome adversity, and act with dignity and respect while still being a fun, active kid. Her heroic efforts to guide our next generation in the right direction of being good, decent human beings with such kindness and grace deserve to be recognized. We are so lucky to have her!”

Mauermann nominated Unti for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Unti 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. Unti was recognized at the Oct. 20 game, when the Seahawks took on the Baltimore Ravens.

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.