Chapel Hill Middle School Teacher Honored as Hero in the Classroom

Symetra, SunTrust and the Atlanta Falcons honored Chapel Hill Middle School teacher Sean Leatherwood as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 16, 2012 during a surprise school assembly. Leatherwood is an eighth-grade Social Studies instructor at the middle school.

“Coach Leatherwood is more than a teacher to his students. He models his classroom around a system called ‘living through history.’ Each class member is involved in Georgia’s history — from the creation of colonies all the way up through present day. This makes history more interesting and memorable because students look at the decisions of early Americans as if the decision was their own,” said Jeremiah Cook, a former student of Leatherwood. “Coach Leatherwood’s approach requires more work to run than most classes because he’s often an actor in the ‘living through history’ segments of the classes he’s teaching. Sometimes he’s the king of England and other times he’s the chief leader of the Native Americans trading with the colonists.” Cook nominated Leatherwood for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.

“Coach Leatherwood opened my eyes to many things and gave me the ability to look at them in a new light. Instead of judging the acts of people in history, I learned more about the logic behind them,” said Cook. “This teacher has made a lasting impression on me as well as many other students and deserves this award.”

Leatherwood is one of 16 K-12 teachers across Georgia 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 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. Leatherwood will be recognized at the Nov. 29 game when the Falcons take on the New Orleans Saints.

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.