CARSON CITY, Nev. – Today, Governor SteveSisolak’s Office, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Education (NDE),opened the application period for the 2022 Nevada Recognizing InspirationalSchool Employees (RISE) Award. Nominations and applications will beaccepted until September 15, 2021.

The RISE Award, initiatedby Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education (USED),honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service. A classifiedschool employee is defined as an individual who works in any grade, frompre-kindergarten through high school, in any of the following occupationalspecialties: paraprofessional, clerical and administrative services,transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenanceservices, security services, health and student services, technical services,and skilled trades.

“The work of our school employees is critically important in providingNevada students with the support they need to reach their goals,” said GovernorSteve Sisolak. “Especially right now, it is vital that we take thisopportunity to express our gratitude and recognize the remarkable work of ourschool employees throughout the State.”

“I am grateful for the dedicated, resilient, and caring Nevadans who dedicatetheir careers to improving our school communities,” said Jhone Ebert, StateSuperintendent of Public Instruction. “Our classified employees arefoundational to creating and maintaining safe, healthy, and welcomingenvironments for students, educators, and families. I encourage Nevada schoolleaders, educators, and community members to submit nominations to recognize yourexceptional classified employees.”

NDE will consider nominations submitted by local educational agencies,school administrators, professional associations, labor organizations,educational service agencies, nonprofit entities, parents, and students.  

This is the second annual Nevada RISE Award selection. In its inauguralyear, NDE received 21 nominations representing six counties across Nevada.The two 2021 RISE Award recipients were Mr. Victor Garcia-Mendez at MarkTwain Elementary School, Carson City School District; and Ms.KimRuiz at Winnemucca Junior High School, Humboldt County Elementary School.

Now, in its second year, NDE has expanded the nomination and applicationprocess to allow for self and community nominations. The 2022 process will alsoinclude a short phone interview with RISE Award nominees who complete theapplication.

Nominees must, at a minimum, demonstrateexcellence in the following areas: work performance; school and communityinvolvement; leadership and commitment; local support (from co-workers, schooladministrators, community members, and others who can speak to the nominee’sexemplary work); and enhancement of classified school employees’ image in thecommunity and schools.

After applications are submitted onSeptember 15, NDE will select five finalists for submission to GovernorSisolak. The Governor will then submit up to two finalists to USED to beconsidered for the RISE Award. The award will be announced in Fall 2021 and Nevada’snominees and finalists will be honored by Governor Sisolak.

To nominate a classified employee for the2022 RISE Award, submit information to the 2022 RISE Nomination Form.

Please contact KellyLynn Charlesat kcharles@doe.nv.gov with questions or any needed assistance.

Attachments: 2022 RISE Nomination Form