Mark Twain Elementary School ESL paraprofessional Victor Garcia-Mendez was one of two school employees nominated by Gov. Steve Sisolak to represent Nevada in the national selection process for the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees award.
On Tuesday, Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Education, opened the nomination and application period for the 2023 Recognizing Inspirational School Employees award.
The RISE award, passed by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, 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 a.m. Sept. 12 and applications will be accepted until 9 a.m. Sept. 19.
This is the third annual Nevada RISE Award selection. The 2022 RISE Award recipients were Arthur Dahlstrom at Fernley High School and Heather Staunton-Williams at Dayton High School in Lyon County School District. The 2021 RISE Award recipients were Victor Garcia-Mendez at Mark Twain Elementary School in Carson City School District and Kim Ruiz at Winnemucca Junior High School in Humboldt County.
Nominees at minimum must 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 Sept. 19, NDE will select five finalists for submission to 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, click here: 2023 RISE Nomination Form
To apply for the 2023 RISE Award, click here: 2023 RISE Application Form
Contact KellyLynn Charles at kcharles@doe.nv.gov with questions.
