On April 16, 2005, The National Visiting Teachers Association, a group of retired schoolteachers and administrators from Sacramento, were presented with the California Lottery's “Heroes in Education” award on “The Big Spin®” show.
For 15 years, its half-dozen members have been volunteering in the Sacramento area, working with high-risk students from low-income families. The group’s mission is to empower parents to take a more active role in the education of their children. To accomplish this, they provide free counseling to parents, teaching them how to be more positively involved. They also make house calls to help families work together to create a nurturing academic environment at home.
In addition, these volunteers read to the blind. They tutor students with learning disabilities. They also provide childcare for young parents trying to finish school. They even give vocational training to students hoping to start new careers.
On hand to honor The National Visiting Teachers Association was Mark Hamill who has done it all in the world of entertainment. He’s an actor, director, screenwriter, Broadway star, and even a comic book creator. He is best known from his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
The California Lottery’s “Heroes in Education” award has been presented monthly on “The Big Spin®” show, since 1999. The Lottery partners with celebrities to present these awards which recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.