Kent teacher attends Heroes in the Classroom celebration at CenturyLink Field

Published 11:07 am Thursday, March 26, 2015

For the Reporter

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored the 16 Puget Sound-area teachers who were recognized as Symetra Heroes in the Classroom during the 2014 NFL season, at a special celebration at CenturyLink Field on March 20.

Among the 2014 honorees was Erica Eller, a special education teacher at East Hill Elementary in Kent. East Hill Principal Brian Patrick joined Eller at the event.

Following a luncheon in the coach’s loft, the teachers received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, which included taking in a view of the field from the press box. The festivities wrapped up in the Seahawks locker room, where each teacher was surprised with a customized locker complete with nameplate. Each teacher’s locker’s contents included a plaque commemorating his or her award and a copy of the March 20 edition of the Seattle Times, which featured an ad saluting all 16 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom recipients.

Seahawks Linebacker Brock Coyle joined the teachers, principals and guests in the players’ locker room.

“You’re here for these kids and you teach these kids. But truly know and understand the impact you can have on young kids’ lives because truly with me, it’s the case,” said Coyle, who made the team last year as a rookie free agent from the University of Montana. “You guys are a huge influence in young people’s lives and, honestly, I look up to people like you because you guys are really the people who make the difference in the community and in life.”

As recipient of the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award, Eller attended the Seahawks’ Dec. 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers, where she was acknowledged during an on-field presentation. Symetra also makes a $1,000 donation to each recipients school for classroom books and supplies.

Coworker Patti Melton nominated Eller.