PRIORITY NOTICE: Recognize Your Outstanding School Staff; RISE Award Now Accepting Nominations
Dear Champions of Education,
In collaboration with the Office of Governor Janet Mills and the U.S. Department of Education (USED), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is now accepting nominations for the prestigious Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award. This federal award, passed by Congress and overseen by USED, is intended to honor and promote classified school employees who provide exemplary service.
Through the RISE Award, we honor the often-unsung heroes whose work behind the scenes is essential to ensuring safe, supportive, and effective learning environments. Publicly recognizing their service strengthens morale, boosts motivation, and reaffirms our commitment to valuing all roles within the education workforce.
The Maine DOE invites students, families, friends, community members, educational organizations or associations, co-workers, and supervisors to nominate school employees for the RISE Award. Anyone can nominate!
Who Is a Classified School Employee?
A classified school employee is a staff member employed by a state, local education agency, or nonprofit entity who supports students in grades pre-K through 12 in any of the following occupational specialties:
Paraprofessionals/Educational Technicians
Clerical and Administrative Services
Transportation Services
Food and Nutrition Services
Custodial and Maintenance Services
Security Services
Health and Student Services
Technical Services
Skilled Trades
Examples include bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers, school safety staff members, health aides, technology staff, mechanics, crossing guards, and more.
Nominee Selection Criteria
Nominees must demonstrate excellence in the following five areas:
Work performance: reflects the nominee’s ability to fulfill their role with exceptional skill, dedication, and reliability
School and community involvement: how nominees contribute to the broader school community, including volunteer efforts, participation in school activities, or engagement with families and local groups
Local support: from co-workers, school administrators, community members, etc., who can speak to the nominee’s exemplary work
Leadership and commitment: emphasizes the nominee’s ability to inspire others, take initiative, and demonstrate a strong dedication to their role and school mission
Enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and schools: highlights efforts to positively influence public perception and understanding of classified employees’ vital roles
The Maine DOE will put forth up to two finalists to USED. USED will then select one finalist from across the U.S. to inspire excellence among classified school employees around the nation.
The deadline to submit a nomination for the RISE Award is October 15, 2025. Please nominate today by clicking here.
With questions, please contact Christina O’Neal, Maine DOE Educator Excellence, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.