Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks honored Redmond High School (RHS) teacher Paula Ferguson and 23 other Puget Sound-area teachers as Heroes in the Classroom on May 24 at CenturyLink Field. The teachers received a tour of the owner’s box and the press box before using the coaches’ elevator to reach the Seahawks’ locker room.

“They made lockers for all of us, and put our pictures in when we received our awards,” said Ferguson about the event. “I didn’t expect to win this at all, it was really cool.”

Ferguson, who has been directing the RHS orchestra program for nine years, was nominated for the award by RHS alumnus Christine Ito. Thanks to Ito, Ferguson was honored at an assembly this spring for her educational excellence.

“Teaching here at Redmond is awesome because all the teachers support their students and work hard to make sure the students are successful,” Ferguson said. “The creativity in these high school students is pretty amazing.”

In addition to the luncheon at CenturyLink Field, Ferguson won $1,000 for RHS donated by Symetra. The 24 teachers also met Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung and heard him speak about two of his elementary school teachers who were among those honored at the event.

As Ferguson continues to spend her time preparing her students for upcoming concerts and teaching students at the middle- and high-school levels, the graduating classes honor her in their own way.

Ito started a year-end orchestra tradition, which has the senior class decorating the shelf above Ferguson’s desk with a new piece of memorabilia — a framed photograph, a toy or a souvenir — as a thank you to Ferguson for her teaching and directing.