Community Corner
Pinole Teacher wins Symetra,Wells Fargo, 49er Hero in the Classroom Award!
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Collins Elementary School Teacher Honored as
‘Symetra Hero in the Classroom’
Find out what's happening in Pinole-Herculeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — (Nov. 22, 2013) — Symetra, Wells Fargo and the San Francisco 49ers honored Collins Elementary School teacher Nancy Botta as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom” on Nov. 22, 2013 during a surprise school assembly. Botta teaches sixth grade at the Pinole, Calif., elementary school.
“Nancy Botta is a wonderful, dedicated teacher who always tries to add creative, fun projects into her sixth-grade curriculum,” said Pamela Suess, a teaching colleague. “Nancy brings art into many of lessons. She has access to a kiln, so a few times a year, her students get to do ceramics. She also loves sports and teaches the students to play flag football — our school has no P.E. teacher, and the kids love it. Nancy takes it a step further by running a lunchtime sports program on her own, unpaid lunch time.”
Suess nominated Botta for the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® award.
“Collins Elementary students really relate to ‘Miss Botta.’ They love her sports enthusiasm and her dry sense of humor,” said Suess. “Nancy always has kids hanging out in her classroom working on one project or another. Many students who may not be doing so well in academic areas have a chance to feel good about themselves playing lunchtime sports. Since students must meet a certain level of academic effort to play, she works with those who are struggling so they can stay in the game. Often using her sports knowledge in her classroom, she fosters a team atmosphere and that makes it super-fun for kids.”
Botta 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. Botta will be recognized at the Dec. 1 game against the St. Louis Rams.
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/49ers.
