[New] Educator surprised with $25K award

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

CUMBERLAND – Powhatan resident and Cumberland Elementary School math interventionist Pamela Stepko got a huge shock last week when she learned she was the recipient of a $25,000 Milken Educator Award during a surprise school assembly.

a complete shock.

Even a day after the award, Stepko, who has lived in Powhatan County since 2010, said she was still astounded by the news as well as being humbled and grateful.

Duringthe meeting held on Monday, Oct. 24,the board voted3-2in favor of rezoning a 5.93-acre parcel on PageRoad fromAgriculture (A-10) to CommerceCenter(CC). The propertyisonthe westsideof

School board approves $3.95 million grant

Thecase dealt withthe decision of whetherto rezone the property which wouldallow for Stroud VenturesLLC to construct a contractor’s office alongwith thestorageof a limited quantityofmaterials,supplies and equipmentinside the building

However, thediscussion by community

Eleven business’ap-

Stepko was prepared for a special event on Wednesday, Dec. 13 with the arrival of Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow for a visit to the elementary school.

But when she attended the special assembly, she was instead stunned to become the center of attention with the announcement by Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop of the award. The prestigious honor bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.