The Virginia Lottery and the Virginia PTA are planning to shine a spotlight on a valuable Virginia resource: dedicated and talented public school teachers who really make a difference in shaping young lives.

“I was honored to meet one of last year’s Super Teachers and was again reminded of the tremendous impact a teacher can have on a child,” Governor Timothy Kaine said. “The Virginia Lottery’s contribution to K-12 public education in the Commonwealth is vital and these awards highlight that effort. I encourage Virginians to nominate a deserving teacher this year.”

The Lottery is seeking nominations for any K-12 Virginia public school teacher for its Super Teacher awards. Eight winners, one from each of eight geographic regions of the state, will be chosen. Each award consists of a prize of $2,000 and an additional $2,000 classroom credit from Virginia-based The Supply Room Companies.

Anyone 18 or older can nominate a teacher by completing a nomination form and writing a short essay. Official rules and nomination forms are available at www.valottery.com or www.vapopquiz.com. Nominations can be submitted either online or they can be mailed.

Nominations must be postmarked by March 6, 2009. The winners will then be selected on the strength of their nominations. Winners will be announced between April 20 and May 8 in the winning teachers’ hometowns.

“Last year, we received more than 1,800 Super Teacher nominations,” Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto said. “It was an incredible honor to present these awards to the eight teachers in surprise ceremonies across Virginia. We want to thank our generous partners in this effort — the Virginia PTA and The Supply Room Companies — for making this program possible.”

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 nearly $3.9 billion for Virginia’s public schools. The latest annual profits of $455 million currently represent about 6 percent of state funding for public education in Virginia.