First Lady Pamela Northam Touts Benefits Of Early Education During Arlington School Visit

ARLINGTON, VA — Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam joined Arlington education officials and local lawmakers for a tour of the Montessori Public School of Arlington on Monday morning. The school is the first public standalone Montessori school in the state.

After being greeted outside the school by a line of children holding a welcome sign, Northam visited three classrooms and interacted with teachers and students from pre-K to sixth grade.

"My own children attended Montessori schools," Northam said, during her visit. "They were fortunate enough to do that in their early days of schooling. To see other children having these wonderful opportunities to develop along their own timeline is wonderful."

Students in Eileen Lopatkiewicz's upper elementary classroom took turns asking the First Lady what it was like living in the governor's mansion, how she and her husband met, and what she has accomplished as the First Lady?

"I worked for children. I used that part of my background," Northam said, referring to her years working as a teacher. "I worked to help the environment. We've put more money into funding clean water than ever before and renewable energy."

During her visit, Northam made it a point to meet with Sohilah Soliman, the public health nurse at the school.

"We so appreciate all that you've done these last two difficult years just getting started and having this great burden," Northam said. "We appreciate you keeping kids safe and learning."

When Republic Glenn Youngkin is sworn in as Virginia's 74th governor in January, he will be facing a divided General Assembly, with Democrats controlling the Senate and a GOP-majority in the House of Delegates. One of the first things that will be considered is outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam's budget proposal, which contains a 10 percent pay raise for teachers.

When asked about whether she was concerned about the future of the pay raise, Northam said she was hopeful.

"I think most people realize education is not a partisan issue," she said. "You can see it on the faces of these amazing children here at Arlington Montessori how important it is. We've always prioritized education despite the challenges of the last few years. We hope that they'll get on board with us, because we know that this is all of our futures."