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May 11, 2010
 MEGHAN HODGINS OF DEEP CREEK CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SELECTED FROM
MORE THAN 1,200 ENTRIES STATEWIDE
A special education teacher at Deep Creek Central Elementary School in Chesapeake, VA has been selected as one of eight educators statewide to receive the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Award.
Meghan Hodgins received the award in a surprise presentation at her school on May 11, 2010. The award, sponsored by the Virginia Lottery, the Virginia PTA and Virginia-based The Supply Room Companies, consists of a cash prize of $2,000 and an additional $2,000 classroom credit from The Supply Room Companies.
Mrs. Hodgins was selected from more than 1,200 nominations submitted by the public. The eight winners, all of whom are K-12 public school teachers in Virginia, represent one of eight geographic regions of the state.
In 1994, Mrs. Hodgins became the first teacher in Chesapeake to focus solely on students with autism. Regina Dufrense, Mrs. Hodgins’ colleague, wrote the winning essay that described her gentleness and commitment to her students:
“Ms. Hodgins’ concern for her students is global and extends to their families. With the support of the administration, she has brought autistic children out of the self-contained classroom to full participation in a regular education class. The regular education students at Deep Creek Central Elementary now accept the differences in Ms. Hodgins’ students and go the extra mile to include them, to help them, and to be their friends.”
“Ms. Hodgins’ goal for the students she teaches is simply to give them the skills necessary for them to become happy, integrated, functioning members of our society. .” In order to achieve this, she explores every possible behavioral strategy and support device to meet her students’ needs as they evolve and change.”
The winners were selected by a panel of distinguished educators and community leaders, including:
* Dr. Billy Cannaday, Jr., Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at UVA, former State Superintendent for Public Instruction
* Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary, Director, Center for School Improvement, VCU School of Education, former State Superintendent for Public Instruction
* Hon. Jim Dyke, Partner, McGuire Woods, former Secretary of Education for Virginia
* Debi Abadie, President of the Virginia PTA
* Shannon Knight, 2009 Super Teacher Award Recipient, Holland Elementary School, Virginia Beach
The judges selected the eight winners based on the strength of the nominations. Each nomination included a short essay, discussing teachers with passion and commitment to the teaching profession, innovation and creativity in the classroom and parental involvement.
“These awards are made possible by the enthusiastic support of Virginians who believe in the power of a teacher,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto. “We are pleased to partner with the Virginia PTA and The Supply Room Companies to shine the spotlight on this important profession. Honoring K-12 public educators for our third annual Super Teacher program has been another rewarding experience.”
About the Virginia Lottery
Nearly 95 cents of each dollar spent on the Virginia Lottery by players goes back to the Commonwealth in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retailer commissions. Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery profits have been designated solely to K-12 public school education in the Commonwealth. In that time, the Lottery has turned over more than $4 billion for Virginia’s public schools. The latest annual profits of $439.1 million currently represent about 7 percent of state funding for public education in Virginia. In 21 years, the Lottery has sold more than $21.1 billion in tickets, awarded more than $1.1 billion in retailer commissions and paid more than $11.6 billion in prizes to players.
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