The US Department of Education announced that Donella Wagner, Head Custodian at Raintree Elementary School in Baldwin, Louisiana, was recognized as the 2026 National Recognition for Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award honoree in January.
Caption: Donella Wagner with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon upon receiving the 2026 National RISE Award.
In January, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon presented Donella with the RISE Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to students, schools, and communities. Donella was later celebrated at an all-school assembly at Raintree Elementary School, where her family joined students and staff to honor her accomplishments.
You can view Donella’s recognition here: Donella Wagner – RISE Award YouTube Video
For the Secretary’s official RISE Award announcement, see the press release here.
The RISE Award is a national program recognizing outstanding classified school employees in all states and jurisdictions. Governors or their designated state contacts help submit nominations each year, contributing to the national legacy of excellence in school service.
PSE and other state classified organizations championed legislation for many years to gain nationwide recognition for K-12 education support professionals, which ultimately passed Congress and was signed into law in March 2019.
Currently participating states and jurisdictions include: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
For more information and to explore the national legacy of past RISE Award honorees, including 2021 Washington RISE Award recipient Melito Ramirez, please visit the U.S. Department of Education RISE Award website: U.S. Department of Education National RISE Award