Governor Mark Gordon, in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Education, has awarded the 2025 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 May 12.

The 2025 Wyoming RISE Award recipients are Gina Gonzalez, a Paraprofessional at Meadowlark Elementary School in Johnson County School District #1, and Amy Deeds, a school nurse at Pinedale Elementary School in Sublette County School District #1.

“Amy and Gina are both completely committed to supporting the students in their districts any way they can,” Governor Gordon said. “The impact that they have had on their school communities is simply inspiring.”

Deeds was described in her nomination letter as “one of the most caring people I have had the pleasure to work with” and “an invaluable asset to our school and a role model for all school nurses.”

Gonzalez, known in the Buffalo community as “Mrs. G” has been with the district for 23 years and along with her support work in the classroom, is known in the community for her dedication to crosswalk duty in any weather, "always with a smile on her face.”

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.