STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Nominations are being accepted for the 2025-26 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional Award, according to a press release from the Kentucky Department of Education.
In commonwealth’s schools there are “more than 46,000 classified school employees [that] serve in vital and often overlooked roles, from driving students to school and preparing their meals, to working with partner agencies to meet crucial student needs,” the department stated.
Shelley Thomas, a family resource coordinator from Barren County High School, received the inaugural award during the 2020-21 year.
“Our schools simply could not function without our classified employees. I know throughout my career, I have been helped many, many times by dedicated and caring education support staff,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. “This is an opportunity to shine a light on those who are ‘all in’ when it comes to ensuring our students have the safest and healthiest environments in which to learn.”
Eligible candidates must work 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, the press release stated.
Nominees must illustrate excellence in each of the following areas:
- Work performance
- School and community involvement
- Leadership and commitment
- Local support (from co-workers, school administrators, community members, etc.)
- Enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and in schools
Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 2 and each nominator can “submit up to two candidates for consideration,” according to the release.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will forward the names of the top two classified employees to U.S. Education Department as Kentucky’s nominees for the national RISE Award by Nov. 1. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon will select a single classified employee from among all nominees to receive the national 2026 RISE Award.
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