Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Valley Christian School teacher Paula Lorence as a Symetra Hero in the Classroom on Sept. 5 during a school assembly.
Lorence teaches a range of subjects from English to math for grades 6-8 at the Auburn school.
“Paula Lorence is a dedicated, committed professional who encourages every student to strive for excellence, recognizing each one’s unique strengths and areas for improvement,” said Gloria Butz, principal of Valley Christian School. “Walk into Mrs. Lorence’s classroom, and you’ll find students actively engaged in learning. She has been known to literally stand on her head to help her students learn the concept of ‘reciprocal’ in math.”
Butz nominated Lorence for award.
“Mrs. Lorence makes a difference in the lives of students in many ways,” Butz said. “She also emphasizes character-building qualities such as diligence, hard work, honesty, integrity and responsibility in her classroom. She is definitely at teacher who will go to great lengths to help her students learn.”
The honor took Lorence by surprise.
“(It’s) humbling, shocking,” said Lorence, who has been teaching at VCS for 20 years. “I love this school. My children went to school here, and now I have a grandson in kindergarten.”
Lorence is one of 24 K-12 teachers across the Puget Sound area who will be honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2012 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations and receive a $1,000 donation for classroom books and supplies.
In addition, they receive tickets to a Seahawks home game and are acknowledged during on-field presentations at CenturyLink Field. Lorence will be recognized at Sunday’s game when the Seahawks take on the Dallas Cowboys in their home opener.
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 http://symetraheroes.com/team/seattle-seahawks.
