Symetra, Wells Fargo and the San Francisco 49ers honored Tamalpais High School teacher Michael Krause as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” during a surprise classroom presentation on Oct. 9. Krause is an English instructor at the Mill Valley high school. He is the third Tamalpais High School teacher to be named a Symetra Hero in the Classroom — fellow English teacher Chelsea Springer was recognized in 2012, and Math instructor Rebecca Henn was honored in 2011.
“Mr. Michael Krause is the teacher you have heard plenty about before you set foot in his classroom. While his reputation as one of Tam’s hardest teachers is well-deserved, students who attend his class wanting to learn something absolutely love that about him,” said Lindsay Sloan, a former student of Krause’s who currently attends the University of Southern California. “Mr. Krause will not give you an A for just attending class and turning in your work; he actually will make sure you are trying your hardest. His philosophy that A’s are not given, but earned sets him apart. It’s a real-world lesson that helps you understand hard work is what makes a project successful, not just its completion.” Sloan nominated Krause for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.
“One of the things that makes Mr. Krause so special is that instead of just giving students a book and trusting we will read it, he comes up with inspiring lesson plans that not only help us understand what is happening in the book, but also what the author is trying to get through to the reader,” said Sloan. “Out of any teacher I’ve ever had, Mr. Krause’s love for his subject is palpable — he really believes in what he’s teaching. The sound in his voice reciting Hamlet signals to the class that this man has carefully examined the play like scientists examine DNA. He does such a great job connecting the content with his students; they will actually go home, read the literature and understand it more deeply thanks to class discussions. It’s what makes students enjoy Mr. Krause’s class so much.”
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Krause is one of 16 K–12 teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area 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 49ers home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at Candlestick Park. Krause was recognized at the Oct. 13 game when the 49ers took on the Arizona Cardinals.
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.
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More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at www.SymetraHeroes.com/49ers.
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.
