COLTON>> School staff members from all across the country were honored on Wednesday, May 3 at the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington D.C.
RISE, which stands for, Recognizing Inspirational School Employees, is an award that honors employees or other members of staff for being an inspiration to those around them.
The National Coalition of Classified Education Support Employee Unions, or NCCESEU, is a mesh of state and national unions that represent school support employees. The RISE award, which is given by the NCCESEU, is given those individuals who worked hard to better their communities and the people around them.
Present at the award ceremony were elected officials and union dignitaries from all over.
Five individuals were chosen for their extraordinary dedication to their community. Amongst these individuals was Colton's very own, Paul Rasso, of the California School Employees Association.
Other winners included,
• Mike Poke, Bloomington, MN (SEIU Local 284)
• Paul Rasso, Colton, CA (California School Employees Association)
• Nannette Peters, Rochester, MN (Minnesota School Employees Association)
• Saul Ramos of Worcester, MA (National Education Association)
• Jamie Manchester of Davenport, WA (Public School Employees of Washington)
Classified education support employees work in the following nine career families:
• Child nutrition services
• Clerical services
• Custodial and maintenance services
• Health and student services
• Paraeducators
• Security services
• Skilled trades
• Technical services
• Transportation services
There are well over 2.8 million classified education support employees in U.S. public schools, colleges, and universities. They make up one-third of the public education workforce and ensure students achieve at their highest levels. They keep students fed, emotionally and physically healthy, safe, engaged and connected to the larger school community, and provide instruction and support that can lead to academic success.