NEW YORK, April 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), celebrates Shanna Peeples, an educator from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas, who today has been named the 65th National Teacher of the Year. Peeples, along with the 2015 State Teacher of the Year winners, will be recognized by President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.
This year marks Voya's 11th year supporting the prestigious National Teacher of the Year program, which is organized by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
"We're proud to sponsor programs like National Teacher of the Year, which acknowledge the talented professionals who educate and empower tomorrow's workforce. This furthers our company's mission and vision, which is to help all Americans — including teachers — become financially and emotionally ready for their retirement," said Carolyn Johnson, president of Annuities and Tax-Exempt Markets, Voya Financial. "Voya would like to congratulate Shanna and all of the 2015 State Teacher of the Year winners for their outstanding accomplishments and strong commitment to the profession."
Shanna Peeples followed an unconventional path on her journey to the classroom. She worked as a disc jockey, medical assistant, pet sitter and journalist before teaching, as she says, chose her. Peeples now spends half of her day as an English teacher and the other half mentoring, coaching and challenging her Palo Duro High School colleagues to grow in the education profession. Amarillo, Texas, is one of several cities in the U.S. that helps refugees as they acclimate to their new life in this country. As a result, Peeples works with many students who speak English as a second language and who come from families that recently relocated from abroad. She has taught for the past 12 years, four of them in her current role. She earned an associate degree from Amarillo College, a Bachelor of Arts from West Texas A&M University and a Master of Education from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Voya Financial's support for teachers, children and education extends beyond the National Teacher of the Year to other signature programs — such as Unsung Heroes® and the Voya-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge. Through its charitable giving arm, the Voya Foundation, the company is committed to programs that help young people stay in school, graduate on time, and become prepared to enter the 21st-century workforce. At the core of the Voya Foundation is the belief that education is the key to healthy communities, which in turn fosters the sustainability and growth of the economy.
As an industry leader and advocate for greater retirement readiness, Voya Financial is committed to delivering on its vision to be America's Retirement Company™ and on its mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family and one institution at a time.
Media Contact:
Nicole Vasile
Voya Financial
Office: 860.580.2690
Cell: 860.839.1589
nicole.vasile@voya.com
About Voya Financial®
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), is composed of premier retirement, investment and insurance companies serving the financial needs of approximately 13 million individual and institutional customers in the United States. The company's vision is to be America's Retirement CompanyTM and its guiding principle is centered on solving the most daunting financial challenge facing Americans today — retirement readiness. Working directly with clients and through a broad group of financial intermediaries, independent producers, affiliated advisors and dedicated sales specialists, Voya provides a comprehensive portfolio of asset accumulation, asset protection and asset distribution products and services. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 6,500 employees, Voya is grounded in a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time. For more information, visit voya.com or view our Voya Financial Interactive Company Profile. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook and Twitter @Voya.
About the Voya Foundation
The Voya Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where Voya Financial® operates and its employees and customers live. The Voya Foundation provides grants and establishes signature partnerships in the areas of financial literacy and children's education and fosters employee engagement to deepen our positive impact on the community. For more information, visit www.voyafoundation.com.
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SOURCE Voya Financial, Inc.