Nominations Open for 2025-2026 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional Award

Image Courtesy of Kentucky Department of Education

Frankfort, Kentucky----(SPA): Gov. Andy Beshear’s Office, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), has announced that nominations are now open for the 2025-2026 Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional Award.

The annual recognition honors the vital contributions of classified school employees—ranging from bus drivers and food service workers to clerical staff and paraprofessionals—whose dedication helps ensure safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for Kentucky students.

The top two nominees from Kentucky will also be advanced for consideration in the 2026 national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award, a program created by Congress in 2019 and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The RISE Award celebrates classified employees across the country who demonstrate exceptional service to students from pre-kindergarten through high school.

“Our schools simply could not function without our classified employees,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. “This award is an opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond to support our students every day.”

Eligible nominees may serve in any of the following roles: paraprofessional, clerical and administrative services, transportation, food and nutrition, custodial and maintenance, security, health and student services, technical services, or skilled trades. Candidates will be evaluated on five criteria: work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment, local support, and efforts to enhance the image of classified school employees in their schools and communities.

The nomination period will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 2. Each nominator may submit up to two candidates for consideration.

Since its creation in 2020 by Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, the Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional Award has recognized 10 employees statewide. The most recent honorees, announced earlier this year, were Kim Frank, an administrative assistant at LaTonia Elementary (Covington Independent), and Sam Graham, a bus driver from Taylor County Schools.

“The contributions of classified employees to every school district in this state are immeasurable,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “This award ensures they receive the appreciation and recognition they deserve.”

Gov. Beshear echoed that sentiment, adding, “These team members are essential to our schools and our children. I look forward to seeing this year’s nominations and thanking these dedicated Kentuckians for their hard work and commitment to our kids and our future.”

A committee of education stakeholders will review and score the nominations before forwarding Kentucky’s top two honorees to the U.S. Department of Education by Nov. 1. The U.S. Secretary of Education will then select the recipient of the 2026 RISE Award from among all state nominees nationwide.