Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award

The Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award was created by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education.  This award honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service to their school communities.

2022-2023 Rise Awardees

Rise Award logo
Today, Beverly Payne, a school secretary at Crestline Elementary School in the Crestline Exempted Village School District, and Kristy Adams, a paraprofessional at Wickliffe High School in the Wickliffe City School District were honored as Ohio awardees and finalists for the national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award.

The U.S. Secretary of Education will select a single classified school employee from among the nominees to receive the RISE Award by spring 2023. 

For this award, a support staff school employee is defined as an employee who works in any grade from pre-kindergarten through high school in any of the following occupational specialties:

  • paraprofessional,
  • clerical and administrative services,
  • transportation services,
  • food and nutrition services,
  • custodial and maintenance services,
  • security services,
  • health and student services,
  • technical services and skilled trades.

Individuals, local educational agencies, school administrators, professional associations, labor organizations, educational service agencies, nonprofit entities, private schools and their representatives, parents and students and other groups may submit nominations using the nomination form on the Ohio Department of Education website.

Last Modified: 12/12/2022 2:12:08 PM