Lock Haven, PA – Earlier this week, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin visited Woodward Elementary School in Keystone Central School District to present school custodian Crystal Parks with the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award and celebrate her contributions to the school community.
Secretary Mumin shadowed Parks on Monday as she worked through her daily routine of keeping the school clean and brightening the days of students and staff. At an all-school assembly, Secretary Mumin presented Parks with a certificate honoring her achievement as a RISE Award winner.
Watch a video of Monday’s event.
The RISE Award, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, honors a school employee who provides exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. To be eligible for the award, an individual must be a full- or part-time non-teaching school employee, including paraprofessionals, 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.
“Support staff like Crystal Parks are the heart of our school communities. Her commitment to fostering a positive environment at Woodward Elementary, whether through volunteering after school or organizing community support initiatives, demonstrates the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have on student success,” Secretary Mumin said. “Recognizing her contributions underscores the essential role every member of our education team plays in shaping the lives of our children.”
At Woodward Elementary School, Parks is known for her warm smile and kind words as students and staff enter the building each morning. In fact, many students enjoy her company so much that they choose to spend time collecting the garbage around the building with her as a reward for their good behavior. Parks also volunteers her time after school to help with various activities and organizes the collection and distribution of gifts during the holiday season for those less fortunate.
Parks, 59, supports Keystone Central students beyond the school day. She and her husband sponsor a little league baseball team, and she regularly attends sporting events to cheer on students. She’s also a regular volunteer at school events like theater productions, parades, open houses and dances. Parks has worked for the school district for 15 years.
In the recommendation letter submitted by the district, a Woodward Elementary student shared that Parks is kindhearted and makes your day brighter.
The Shapiro Administration is committed to ensuring Pennsylvania students – and the teachers and school staff who support them -- have the resources they need to learn and grow all year long. The 2024-25 budget secured a $1.1 billion increase in basic education funding—the largest in Pennsylvania history. The education budget also includes $100 million for safety and mental health supports in schools, and a $100 million increase for special education funding.
The Shapiro Administration has asked the U.S. Secretary of Education to consider Parks for the national RISE award, which will be announced in the spring.
