LaTonya Waller chosen Teacher of the Year in Richmond Public Schools

You might say LaTonya Waller is on a winning streak.

After earning an R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence this month -- an honor that comes with a $10,000 reward she'll use toward a research trip to Hawaii and Iceland -- Waller was chosen Thursday night as Richmond Public Schools' 2010 Teacher of the Year.

Waller teaches earth and life sciences at Lucille Brown Middle School, coaches the Mind Games team, and sponsors the school's science, engineering and forensic clubs.

She has an undergraduate and master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Before going to Brown, Waller taught at Broad Rock Elementary School for three years and was named that school's Teacher of the Year in 2005. Waller received a $1,000 bonus with the award.

In an excerpt from her nomination packet, Waller explained her career choice: "Simply put, first and foremost, I love children. I love learning and I love teaching."

She wrote: "There are individuals that I believe excel in certain careers because of natural abilities, dutiful preparation and ongoing reflection and refinement. In life, I believe that individuals continuously attempt to find this niche; teaching is mine."

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .