Announcing Ohio’s nominees for the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees award

12/12/2022

Today, at surprise events in two Ohio schools, the 2023 Ohio Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Awardees were announced. Each year, two Ohio school support staff are selected from a pool of candidates from across the state for this honor. They are selected for their inspirational compassion for students and families and dedication to their communities. Congratulations to these remarkable honorees:  

• Beverly Payne, an elementary school secretary from Crestline Exempted Village School District
• Kristy Adams, a high school paraprofessional from Wickliffe City School District

Both move forward as finalists for the national RISE Award, which is selected by the U.S. Secretary of Education from all the state finalists. Learn more about the 2023 Ohio Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award recipients on the Ohio Department of Education’s Ohio RISE Award webpage.

The RISE Award celebrates classified or support staff who model strong personal character and concern for their students, colleagues and communities. Recipients positively influence others while modeling excellence for their roles in public education.