WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) – A Williamsburg teacher has been awarded a “Thank You” vacation from the Virginia Lottery.
According to a press release, Amy Hertzler, who is a German teacher at Berkeley Middle School won a Virginia-themed vacation, which is valued at $2,500, and a gift that can be used for luggage or technology. Berkeley Middle School will also get $2,500 in supplies from The Supply Room.
Hertzler switched careers six years ago to share her love for German with middle school students at James Blair Middle and Berkeley Middle Schools. She says it was an honor to have students nominate her because she enjoys teaching a foreign language.
“I love it when they finally get it. They pick up a book they’ve been struggling with – I have them reading children’s books and beginning readers books in the classroom – When they say ‘oh I finally get it’ or ‘understood that’. That is what’s really cool about this,” Hertzler explained.
Hertzler’s name was drawn from nearly 7,000 entries that were submitted, and she said it was huge surprise when members of the Virginia Lottery came into her class.
“To know that the kids picked me when they could’ve pick any other teacher – there are a lot of great teachers. It was just really nice,” Hertzler said.
The “Thank a Teacher” campaign is an initiative that celebrates teachers for their hard work. Over the past seven years, the program has awarded and recognized 14 teachers throughout the state.
