CARSON CITY, Nev. - Today, Governor Steve Sisolak's Office, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Education (NDE), opened the nomination and application period for the 2023 Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award.

The RISE award, passed by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education (USED), honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service. A classified school employee can be someone 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.

NDE will consider nominations submitted by local educational agencies, school administrators, educational service agencies, nonprofit entities, parents, and students. Nominations will be accepted until 9:00am on September 12, 2022 and applications will be accepted until 9:00 AM on September 19, 2022.

This is the third annual Nevada RISE Award selection. The 2022 RISE Award recipients were Mr. Arthur Dahlstrom at Fernley High School and Ms. Heather Staunton-Williams at Dayton High School, both in Lyon County School District. The 2021 RISE Award recipients were Mr. Victor Garcia-Mendez at Mark Twain Elementary School, Carson City School District and Ms. Kim Ruiz at Winnemucca Junior High School, Humboldt County Elementary School.

Nominees must, at a minimum, demonstrate excellence in the following areas: work performance; school and community involvement; leadership and commitment; local support (from co-workers, school administrators, community members, etc., who speak to the nominee's exemplary work); and enhancement of classified school employees' image in the community and schools.

After applications are submitted on September 19, NDE will select five finalists for submission to Governor Sisolak. The Governor will select two awardees from applications submitted to NDE and announce the 2023 Nevada RISE awardees in October. The 2023 Nevada RISE Awardees will represent Nevada in the National RISE Award selection process and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the National RISE Awardee in Spring 2023.

To nominate a classified employee for the 2023 RISE Award, please click here: 2023 RISE Nomination Form

To apply for the 2023 RISE Award, please click here: 2023 RISE Application Form

Please contact KellyLynn Charles at kcharles@doe.nv.gov with questions.

Attachments:

• 2022 RISE Award
• 2021 RISE Award
• 2023 RISE Nomination Form
• 2023 RISE Application Form

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ABOUT THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada's 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/

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