Chicago Bears Surprise Local Teacher With Classroom "Hero" Honor

Second-grade teacher Karen Reyes received much more than a summer vacation to reinvigorate her passion for teaching this year. When she entered her quiet classroom on Friday morning, she was surprised by the Chicago Bears and Symetra Financial representatives, who came to  award her the honor of “Hero in the Classroom” in front of her students, principal Maria Kalant and a few special guests. 

“It was an amazing way and a complete surprise,” said Reyes, who has been teaching for 11 years, all of them at Winkelman. “I think, most importantly, it says something about our school and parents, the fact that we all work so hard together to ensure the success of our students and their achievements. I think it says a lot about who we are in terms of community.”

During the Bears season, the “Hero In the Classroom” program recognizes 16 teachers, who are nominated by parents or students, and gives out several thousand dollars to local schools. 

Tara Bilby, mother of Benjamin Bilby, 8, who was a student in Reyes’ class last year, found out about the “Hero in the Classroom” program while doing some research on donations at her workplace. 

“I was, like, ‘that’s Mrs. Reyes to a ‘T’ – you couldn’t find anyone better. She’s totally awesome,” said Bilby.

Benjamin said his favorite things about Mrs. Reyes’ class were “learning and having fun learning.” 

“She does things differently than other teachers,” he added, including “more learning together.”

“She basically turned my child around,” Benjamin’s mother explained. “She learned who he was and adapted and helped him adapt. She found ways to get him to want to learn and to grow.  The enthusiasm in him just came back, and her care still continued. He even received a letter from her over the summer.” 

“It’s not just building the academic skills, but the life skills that he needs—how to adapt and cope with things. He still talks about her and tells his (younger) brother that he’s going to be in her class,” Bilby added.  She hopes all three of Benjamin’s siblings will have Reyes for their second-grade teacher. “And if it’s not, I know they will be in good hands. As much as this is about Mrs. Reyes, I told Mrs. Kalant that she has an awesome team at the school.”

“Karen exemplifies what is best in education. She is a model for all teachers to emulate,” said Kalant.  “She connects with her students at every level and on every day of the year.”

Brian Hutchens of Gallagher Benefit Services and Catherine Abrenica of the Chicago Bears jointly presented a $1,000-check to the school, a $250 Office Max gift certificate for Reyes’ classroom, a pair of tickets to the Sept. 11 Bears game with pre-game, on-field passes, a $20 concession gift certificate and a jersey with Reyes’ name on the back. What’s more, Reyes will be recognized on Soldier Field’s video board. 

“It took many, many submissions of great teachers. It’s a very difficult process to find ones that are extra special or deserve an award, because many of them do,” said Hutchens.   “It has come down to parents like Tara who have that personal connection and who are able to share that story of why that teacher is a hero in the classroom.”

Reyes said her teaching philosophy was born out of love—for her job and for her students.

“It starts with a passion and a joy in loving what I do, learning about my students as much as I can and finding ways to connect with them,” she said.  

Parents or students can still go to the Chicago Bears’ website to nominate their hero through three weeks before the end of the season.

Editor's Note: a previous version of this article misspelled the name of the parent who nominated Karen Reyes. The correct spelling of her name is Tara Bilby.