Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023-2024 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional Award, which recognizes outstanding classified school employees.
Nominations may be submitted by public school districts, private schools, educational cooperatives, education organizations, professional organizations, labor organizations, nonprofit entities, parents and students.
Eligible candidates must work in any of the following occupational specialties: paraprofessional, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, technical services, and skilled trades.
The nomination period will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 27. Each nominator can submit up to two candidates for consideration.
Six individuals have received the Kentucky Education Support Staff Award since it was established in 2020 by Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.
“The contributions of our classified employees to every school district in this state are immeasurable. Their hard work and dedication to students is noticed and appreciated,” Coleman said. “I am pleased to have helped establish the award to recognize these employees and give them the appreciation that they deserve.”
The top two nominees also will be considered for the national 2024 Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award. Enacted by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education (USED), the RISE Award recognizes classified school employees who have displayed exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school.
