For the Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored East Hill Elementary School teacher Erica Eller as a Symetra Hero in the Classroom on Dec. 9 during a surprise assembly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Eller is a special education instructor at the Kent school.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “Erica Eller is the kind of teacher a parent wishes for their child,” said Patti Melton, a co-worker at East Hill Elementary. “As a special education instructor, her students have a variety of individualized needs, including delayed learning, behavior challenges and autism.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “She works hard to build a strong relationship with each child \u2014 letting them know that they matter and encouraging them to put forth their best effort,” Melton said. “These students could very easily slip through the cracks, but that will never happen under Erica’s care.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Melton nominated Eller for the award.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “Erica has an amazing ability to calm her students when they are in crisis, listen and help them find solutions,” Melton said. “Having worked with special needs children myself, I know how difficult it can be to help students through troubled times, yet Erica seems to handle it with a grace and ease that the children respect. She is able to reach out, calm them and get each child back on track. I have learned so much from watching her.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Eller is one of 16 K\u201312 teachers across the Puget Sound area who was honored for educational excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2014 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 Seahawks home game and are acknowledged during an on-field presentation at CenturyLink Field. Eller was recognized at the Dec. 14 game when the Seahawks took on the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n