Room Nine Teacher Named Symetra "Hero in the Classroom"

Michael Callahan, art, design and technology teacher at Room Nine Community School in Shoreline, will be honored as the Dec. 12 Shoreline School District recipient of the Heroes in the Classroom award sponsored by the Seattle Seahawks and Symetra Financial.

Callahan was surprised with the award at an assembly at the school on Tuesday.

Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is a community program that recognizes Shoreline, Renton and Seattle teachers for outstanding leadership and instructional skills during the Seattle Seahawks season. Michael is the eighth Shoreline teacher to be honored this season, joining Jennifer Etter (Shorecrest), Therese Russell (Brookside), Anne Marie Culver (Kellogg), Ali Airhart (Syre), Diana Dillard (Shorewood), Kay Law (Ridgecrest) and Tracy Andersen (Meridian Park).

Callahan has taught at Room Nine Community School since 2005.

He will be recognized at the Seahawks home game against the St. Louis Rams on Monday night and will receive a team jacket, two tickets to the game and on-field passes, and a $350 OfficeMax gift card for classroom supplies.

Michael was nominated by a parent, who wrote in part: "Mr. Callahan brings joy to the classroom for all students. He taps into the children's idea of fun and brings it to life through both artistic and technical projects that are both engaging and exciting. His enthusiasm always comes through, and the students know their time in Michael's classroom will be the highlight of their day."

In addition to the awards before each home game, Symetra and the Seahawks will make a $10,000 donation to three participating schools following the 2011 season. Funds will be designated to support a specific student achievement program at each school.

For more information, visit the Seattle Seahawks/Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Web site,http://www.symetra.com/heroes/seahawks.