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Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy Teacher Honored as 'Symetra Hero in the Classroom'

Symetra, SunTrust and the Atlanta Falcons honored Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) teacher LaJuana Ezzard as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” during a surprise assembly on Sept. 27. Ezzard is a Media Specialist at the middle school, located in northwest Atlanta’s Brookview Heights neighborhood.

“Lajuana Ezzard not only seeks ways to enhance the experience of the girls at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, she facilitates many of our programs and even uses her weekends and summers to provide social and academic opportunities for them,” said Sharon James, a school colleague. “Ms. Ezzard has created programs for the school that have given many of our young ladies opportunities to be exposed to other cultures not generally accessible within their own personal environments. She has taken students to restaurants, ballets and social events to help build life skills. She has brought many influential people to the school to mentor and speak to students about topics that will affect their lives.”

“From the first moment I met her three years ago, Ms. Ezzard has gone above and beyond the call of duty. She gives selflessly to ensure our students are well-educated and dressed in our school uniform,” said Dr. Dione Simon, principal of Coretta Scott King YWLA. “Ms. Ezzard gets students involved in civic opportunities that help them realize the importance of service, and she ensures that they have mentors who support them in their quest for excellence. I am most grateful for her outstanding work within our school and community. I am confident that our girls' lives have been enhanced because of what she does each and every day for them.”

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James and Simon nominated Ezzard for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

Ezzard 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. Ezzard will be recognized at the Oct. 7 game when the Falcons take on the New York Jets.

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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.




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