Chatham Elementary School recently celebrated a remarkable achievement as the Virginia Lottery awarded one of its teachers, Veronica Berrios, a $5,000 grant. Berrios, who teaches 4th-grade math and science, was distinguished as one of only four educators selected from a remarkable pool of 24,000 teachers statewide as part of the Virginia Lottery’s “Thank a Teacher” initiative.
The award is composed of $2,500 directly for Berrios and another $2,500 allocated to the school, which will be used to acquire much-needed supplies.
Berrios expressed her gratitude, stating, “It just feels great because I know as a school in general, you know we’re gonna take this money and use it to help all these kids, and we have a lot of kids in need here, so it’s great, it’s very helpful.”
This recognition underscores the importance of educators in shaping the future and enhancing community welfare, showcasing the critical role they play in the lives of students, especially those who require additional support.
The Virginia Lottery’s program aims to shed light on the dedication and hard work of teachers throughout the state, making this honor not only a personal achievement for Berrios but also a benefit for her entire student community. Such initiatives fuel optimism, emphasizing the positive impact of education and the collective effort to uplift students with the necessary resources.