The Thank a Teacher program began in 2016 with a simple but meaningful goal: to thank as many K-12 public school teachers in Virginia as possible during National Teacher Appreciation Week each May. Through the program, Virginia residents can send heartfelt thank-you notes - designed by students and distributed by the Virginia Lottery - to their favorite teachers, helping them earn cash prizes from the Lottery and its partners at Brightstar Lottery and NeoPollard Interactive and school supplies from The Supply Room. In May 2026, Virginians helped us surpass one million thank-you notes sent statewide since the program’s inception.
Over the years, Thank a Teacher has grown to include even more ways to celebrate educators. Each fall, the Thank a Teacher Art Contest invites Virginia's budding student artists to showcase their creativity for a chance to have their artwork featured on that year's thank-you notes. Since 2018, the Virginia Lottery and its partners have awarded 22 public school teachers across the Commonwealth with prizes including Virginia vacations, gift cards, cash awards, and classroom supplies.
In 2025, the program expanded again with the introduction of the Teachers' Lounge Makeover. In partnership with The Supply Room, the Teachers' Lounge Makeover aims to award a makeover that gives educators a place to relax, get inspired, and feel appreciation for the incredible work they do every day. The Teachers’ Lounge Makeover is officially an annual initiative with one more way to demonstrate appreciation to K-12 public school educators.
