VA HR342

Merissa Bartoli, kindergarten teacher at Piney Branch Elementary School in Prince William County, received the Smart/Maher Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award (K-5 level) for 2025-2026 from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia

Bartoli has dedicated 24 years to education and comes from a military family as the daughter of a U.S. Army colonel and granddaughter of two World War II veterans

Leads her school's Purple Star Committee and organizes luncheons and activities to build community among military-connected students and families

Created a student ambassadors program to help new students, particularly those from military families, connect with peers who understand transition challenges

Selected from 12 nominees across VFW districts statewide for demonstrating exceptional resourcefulness, innovation, and passion in teaching citizenship and civic responsibility