The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has announced the top 10 finalists for the 2026 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. The Portland Public Schools (PPS) is excited that two of the district’s staff members are among the top 10 finalists for the award, which recognizes exceptional school workforce employees: Liz Meahl, administrative assistant at Casco Bay High School, and Renee Quattrucci, head custodian at Ocean Avenue Elementary School.

All the 10 RISE Award finalists are in the running to be further honored by the state and potentially win national recognition. Of the 10 finalists, two individuals will be selected and announced and honored in February 2026. The names of these two honorees then will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education to represent Maine for consideration in the national RISE Award. That department will announce one national honoree and present that individual with an award in the spring of 2026.

In addition, the district is proud of three other outstanding PPS employees that also were nominated for the award: Shamso Farah, a family and community engagement specialist for the district; Lauren Ostis, community partnership coordinator at East End Community School; and Melissa West, administrative assistant at Ocean Avenue Elementary School.

Created by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, the prestigious RISE Award honors classified employees in the education workforce who provide exemplary service. The Maine DOE, in coordination with the Office of Governor Janet Mills, selected the 10 finalists from a pool of 32 exceptional nominees from across Maine, submitted by school administrators, teachers, professional associations, nonprofits, parents/caregivers, students, and community members.  

Classified employees include those who work in a pre-K—grade 12 setting in any of the following occupational specialties: paraprofessional, clerical and administrative services, transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, technical services, and skilled trades. RISE nominees must demonstrate excellence in work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment, local support (from co-workers, school administrators, community members and others, who speak to the nominee’s exemplary work), and enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and schools.

See the list of Maine’s Top 10 RISE finalists below:

Maine’s Top 10 RISE Finalists

●      Jana Bechard
Kitchen Manager
Farrington Elementary School, Augusta School Department

●      Linda Cloutier
Lead Custodian
Tripp Middle School, MSAD 52

●      Nicholas Dare
Custodian
Scarborough Middle School, Scarborough Public Schools

●      Monique Gilbert
Administrative Assistant
Capital Area Technical Center, Augusta School Department

●      Ryan Hewins
School Security
Nokomis Regional Middle and High Schools, RSU 19

●      Elizabeth Loiko
Educational Technician
Sylvio Gilbert Elementary School, Augusta School Department

●      Elizabeth Meahl
Lead Administrative Assistant

●      Casco Bay High School, Portland Public Schools

●      Larry Plourde
Custodian
Caribou High School, RSU 39

●      Renee Quattrucci
Lead Custodian
Ocean Avenue Elementary School, Portland Public Schools

●      Neisha Strom
Educational Technician
Elm Street School, RSU 16

For more information about the RISE Award, visit ED | Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. To learn more about Maine’s RISE Award process, visit Maine DOE | Educator Recognition. View the list of other nominees.