Virginia Lottery "Call For Nominations" for 7th Annual Super Teacher Awards

RICHMOND, Virginia -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Today, the Virginia Lottery along with its partners at the Virginia PTA and The Supply Room Companies opened nominations for the 7th annual Super Teacher Awards. This program celebrates the heroes of education by recognizing their dedication and commitment to students by consistently going the extra mile to inspire.

"The Virginia Lottery has a long-standing commitment to education in the Commonwealth with more than $6 billion generated for education since 1999," said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto. "To complement these efforts, the Virginia Lottery has partnered with Virginia-based The Supply Room Companies and the Virginia PTA to put a spotlight on talented educators responsible for shaping Virginia's leaders of tomorrow."

Since 2008, the Super Teacher program has honored 48 of Virginia's finest teachers. This year, eight more Super Teachers will receive a $2,000 cash prize from the Virginia Lottery and a $2,000 classroom supply credit from The Supply Room Companies. In addition to the wonderful classroom supplies and cash prizes, this year one lucky Virginia Lottery Super Teacher will also win a vacation valued at $5,000.

The 2014 Super Teachers will be selected by a panel of distinguished educators and community leaders, including:

Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, former State Superintendent for Public Instruction
The Honorable James W. Dyke, former Virginia Secretary of Education
Dr. Martha Ross, professor emerita, James Madison University
Brenda Sheridan, president of the Virginia Parent Teacher Association
John Bennett, 2013 Super Teacher from Mary Munford Elementary School in Richmond
Anyone 18 or older can nominate a K-12 Virginia public school teacher at http://vasuperteacher.com/. Nominations must be received by February 14, 2014. Winners will be announced in spring 2014 in each winning teacher's hometown through a surprise presentation.

When it comes to education, the Virginia Lottery is game. In fact, it's the reason we play. We generate more than $1.3 million per day for Virginia's K-12 public schools. Operating entirely on revenue from the sale of Lottery products, the Virginia Lottery generated more than $486.5 million for Virginia's public schools in Fiscal Year 2013. For more info, visit our