HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education is accepting nominations for the federal Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award, a national honor recognizing non-teaching school staff who provide exemplary service to students from pre-kindergarten through high school.
What This Means for You
- Schools and community members can nominate eligible non-teaching employees through August 31, 2026.
- Pennsylvania may submit up to two nominees to the U.S. Department of Education.
- The national winner will be selected by the U.S. Secretary of Education by May 31, 2026.
Who Can Be Nominated
The RISE Award recognizes classified school employees, meaning full- or part-time non-teaching staff. Eligible roles include paraprofessionals, clerical and administrative staff, bus drivers, food service workers, custodial and maintenance personnel, security staff, health and student services employees, technical staff, and skilled trades workers.
Nominations may be submitted by school districts, administrators, professional associations, labor organizations, nonprofit groups, parents, or students. The online nomination form must be completed by August 31, 2026. More information is available on the Department of Education’s website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/.
Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe encouraged participation. “These individuals create safe, welcoming environments where students can learn and thrive,” Rowe said.
Each state may nominate up to two individuals by November 1, 2026. The U.S. Secretary of Education will select one national winner from among the state nominees.
Recent Pennsylvania Honorees
Pennsylvania’s 2025 honorees included Ken Bonkoski, facilities manager at Antietam School District, recognized for overseeing recovery and rebuilding after a 2023 flood damaged a school building, and Kimberly Lokhaiser, a bus driver and paraprofessional at Butler Area School District, recognized for supporting students academically and personally.
Officer Jim Green of Butler Area School District, a 2024 Pennsylvania honoree, was later named the national RISE Award winner.
Education Funding Context
The announcement comes as Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration highlights increased state education funding. According to state officials, public education funding has increased by nearly $3 billion over three years, including additional allocations for Basic Education Funding, Special Education, career and technical education, and other initiatives.
The Governor’s proposed 2026–27 budget includes a $50 million increase for Basic Education Funding, bringing the total to $8.31 billion, and a $50 million increase for Special Education, totaling $1.58 billion. The proposal also continues funding for universal free breakfast, menstrual hygiene products in schools, infrastructure repairs, and school safety and mental health supports.
State officials said more than 800 schools have expanded mental health services and more than 200 counselors have been hired since the start of the current administration.
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