BOSTON, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- America's teachers spend an average of $443 per year of their own money on classroom materials and expenses to meet the needs of their students, according to the National Education Association (NEA). In addition to the money spent on their students, teachers have to reach deeper into their own pockets to advance themselves professionally. In an effort to help alleviate the financial burdens faced by teachers, Liberty Mutual Insurance, in collaboration with Pearson Education, the global leader in education publishing, today announced the 15 winners of the 2009 Liberty Mutual Learn Return scholarship program.

An independent selection panel chose 15 teachers across the nation who best demonstrate passion for continuing their own education to benefit their students. The selection was based on several criteria, including dedication to teaching excellence and responsibility in the classroom. Liberty Mutual will award each winner a fully funded master's degree scholarship from one of Pearson's accredited university partners. Including the 13 winners from the 2008 Learn Return scholarship program, Liberty Mutual has now contributed approximately $420,000 in scholarships to 28 teachers across the country.

"These scholarships are an invaluable contribution to our teachers. Every school day nearly 1,000 teachers leave the profession, citing low pay and lack of resources," said Erin Gruwell, founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation. "Particularly in today's tough economy, Liberty Mutual's Learn Return scholarship program offers teachers the means to grow professionally and financially, without the heavy burden of cost."

The 2009 Liberty Mutual Learn Return scholarship winners are profiled at www.libertymutual.com/teachers. They are:

• Vonda M. Bell, Princeton Elementary School, Birmingham, Ala.
• Julie Bulver, Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
• Zachary Chase, Science Leadership Academy, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Robin Dibble, Starkville High School, Starkville, Miss.
• MiaLynn DiDomenico, Oakwood Elementary School, Norfolk, Va.
• Amanda Hageman, Edgewater High School, Winter Park, Fla.
• Kim Harding, Oxford Elementary School, Conover, N.C.
• Melinda Kennedy, Lewis Palmer Elementary School, Castle Rock, Colo.
• Tammy McArthur, Faithful Savior Community School, Wilsonville, Ore.
• Koren Myette, Whitman Middle School, Hanson, Mass.
• Tim O'Sullivan, Thoreau Middle/High Schools, Thoreau, N.M.
• Nicole Radvany, Esperanza Academy, Somerville, Mass.
• Louise Smith, Brashear Elementary School, Gibbs, Mo.
• Kimberly Tesluk, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Scranton, Pa.
• Jessica van Son, Cascade Middle School, Longview, Wash.

"Liberty Mutual is proud to acknowledge the dedication and passion that these 15 teachers, and other teachers throughout the country, demonstrate in their professional lives," said Greg Gordon, Liberty Mutual senior vice president, Consumer Marketing. "We look forward to continuing our Learn Return scholarship program in 2010, as well as the many other resources and savings created specifically for our educators."

Liberty Mutual created the Learn Return program in 2008 as a means to highlight the positive impact that everyday, responsible actions like teaching can have on our youth. As an insurance company that celebrates people who choose to do the right thing, Liberty Mutual believes that our teachers are a clear example of how individuals dedicate themselves to helping our young people grow and prosper.

Educators will find a wide range of teaching resources, exclusive savings on Pearson professional development courses, and information about Liberty Mutual auto insurance benefits and discounts unique to teachers at www.libertymutual.com/teachers.

About Liberty Mutual Group

"Helping people live safer, more secure lives" since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group (Libertymutualgroup.com) is a diversified global insurer and fifth-largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2008 direct written premium. Liberty Mutual Group ranks 86th on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. corporations, based on 2008 revenue. The company has over 45,000 employees located in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

The eighth-largest auto and home insurer in the U.S., Liberty Mutual (libertymutual.com) sells full lines of coverage for automobile, homeowners, valuable possessions, personal liability, and individual life insurance. The company is an industry leader in affinity partnerships, offering car and home insurance to employees and members of more than 12,000 companies, credit unions, professional associations and alumni groups.

About Pearson

Pearson is the global leader in educational publishing, assessment, information and services, helping people of all ages to learn at their own pace, in their own way. For students preK-12, Pearson provides effective and innovative curriculum products in all available media, educational assessment and measurement for students and teachers, student information systems, and teacher professional development and certification programs. The company's respected brands include NovaNET, SuccessMaker, Waterford, KnowledgeBox, Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, AGS, PowerSchool, TeacherVision and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

SOURCE Liberty Mutual

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