Ten teachers, principals and school workers from public schools across North Carolina are winners of the N.C. School Heroes program, winning awards of $10,000 for themselves and $10,000 for their schools.

The N.C. Education Lottery created the School Heroes program to celebrate the heroic work of teachers, principals, and school workers who help students achieve their dreams. In all, more than 6,750 nominations were submitted and more than two million votes cast. Judges reviewed the 200 nominations that gathered the most votes during the six-week nomination period and made the selection of the 10 School Heroes.

The 10 School Heroes are:

- Michael Allen, principal at Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School in Oxford.
- Elise Barrett, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Leland.
- Dixie Black, a teacher assistant and substitute bus driver at Pilot Elementary School in Thomasville.
- Vic Bridges, a school custodian at Swain County Middle School in Bryson City.
- Peggy Curnette, a school cafeteria manager at Eastfield Global Magnet School in Marion.
- Brian McMath, a music teacher at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro.
- Ronald Nixon, a high school basketball coach at Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City.
- Jerome Sutton, a school crossing guard at Sun Valley Middle School in Indian Trail.
- Jeff Walker, a STEM teacher at Pine Lake Preparatory in Mooresville.
- Shonny Williams, a school social worker at The Governor Morehead School in Raleigh.

“We’re pleased to recognize these 10 School Heroes for the work they do every day in our schools to help our students achieve their dreams,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “While these ten stand out, we saw more than 6,700 stories of teachers, principals, and school workers doing heroic things every day in our schools. We’re proud to put a spotlight on the work of a lot of good people in our schools.”

Money raised by the lottery assists many of those School Heroes, including $385 million this year that supports the work of school staff such as office assistants and custodians. This year additional money raised by the lottery is helping to build and repair schools, supporting the N.C. Pre-K program for at-risk four-year-olds, providing college scholarships and grants based on financial need, and supporting school transportation.

The School Heroes and their nominations remain featured on the web site, ncschoolheroes.com. The website also provides information on how the money raised by the lottery benefits each of North Carolina’s 100 counties. All 100 counties of the state get support for education programs from money raised by the lottery. Last year, the lottery raised more than $670 million.

Starting today, the Education Lottery will begin visits to each school to present the award to the 10 School Heroes.