Governor Mark Gordon, in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Education, has awarded the 2023 Wyoming Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Awards. Passed by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, the award honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service. Governor Gordon and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder presented the Wyoming winners with the awards yesterday.

The 2023 Wyoming RISE Award recipients are Judy Thornock, a Behavior Coach at Aspen Elementary School in Uinta County School District #1, and Cindy Klein, a Paraprofessional at CY Middle School in Natrona County School District.

“This award serves as a testament to Judy and Cindy’s unwavering dedication to supporting student success and cultivating positive school environments,” Governor Gordon said. “They serve as outstanding examples for both their school communities and for the entire state.”

“Judy and Cindy are truly unsung heroes in our education system. Visiting their respective schools, the value they bring to students, families, and communities is clear,” Superintendent Degenfelder said. “We must continue to celebrate and honor their dedication, for it is through their passion and commitment that our school truly flourish.”

Thornock was described as “a powerful force in the workplace who uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed.”

Klein’s nomination letter described her as “dependable, compassionate, and industrious” and someone who “invests wholeheartedly in shaping students' character and instilling a sense of responsibility, propelling them towards a fulfilling future.”

Parents, students, local educational agencies, school administrators, professional associations, labor organizations, educational service agencies, nonprofit entities, private schools and their representatives, and other groups are eligible to nominate individuals for the RISE Award. Nominations for the 2024 RISE award will open in the fall.