We are excited to announce our 2025 Education Champions! These six legislators went above and beyond this legislative session in fighting for funding for our public schools, resulting in victories such as fully lifting the Great Recession-era cap on state funding for support staff and a brand new add-on for students with disabilities.
We believe it’s important to recognize legislators who go above and beyond to fight for public education funding, so we will be giving these awards annually going forward.
Here’s more about each recipient and why they were chosen:
Senator Ghazala Hashmi
Senator Hashmi championed the Fund Our Schools coalition’s comprehensive school funding omnibus bill and successfully secured a critical budget victory by fully lifting the Support Cap. This achievement significantly increased state investment in public education, directly benefiting thousands of Virginia students by ensuring more resources reach classrooms and essential support staff.
Senator Stella Pekarsky
Drawing on her experience as a former Fairfax County School Board chair, Senator Pekarsky brought deep insight and determination to the fight for restorative justice in education. Even though the policy ultimately did not pass, her work elevated the conversation, built critical momentum, and reflected her steadfast commitment to safer, more equitable school environments. Her leadership has inspired continued efforts to address disparities and strengthen relationships between schools and the communities they serve.
Delegate David Bulova
Delegate Bulova guided crucial education budget negotiations within the Conference Committee, securing hundreds of millions of dollars in additional K-12 funding, including the pivotal achievement of fully lifting the Support Cap. His efforts significantly boosted state resources allocated to education, supporting the needs of students, educators, and school divisions across Virginia.
Delegate Carrie Coyner
Delegate Coyner authored and advocated for the groundbreaking $53 million budget initiative creating an innovative special education funding add-on. This dedicated investment directly enhances educational support and resources for students with disabilities, promoting greater fairness and inclusivity in Virginia schools.
Delegate Delores McQuinn
Delegate McQuinn has shown tremendous leadership and commitment to advancing restorative justice in education, promoting strategies that foster safer, more supportive school environments. Her advocacy empowers schools to implement transformative practices, reducing disciplinary disparities and strengthening student success and community relationships.
Delegate Sam Rasoul
Delegate Rasoul led the charge on the Fund Our Schools coalition’s landmark school funding omnibus bill and achieved a major budget victory by fully eliminating the Support Cap. This critical legislative win ensures increased funding and support for schools statewide, positively impacting educational opportunities and resources for students and educators.
