Ramirez wins national RISE award
By Terry Murry on Thursday, May 20th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction announces that Intervention Specialist Melito Ramirez of Walla Walla High School has been awarded the national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees award by the U.S. Department of Education.
“We are thrilled that Mr. Ramirez is being recognized on the national level,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said. “He has served Washington’s schools for decades, going above and beyond for his students and his community. Mr. Ramirez’s dedication, compassion, and outside-the-box thinking has been instrumental in helping many of our young people thrive in school and beyond.”
Ramirez is lauded for demonstrating courage, wisdom, and creativity in solving the most challenging problems in education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his office has become wherever he can reach a student.
“Melito lives our district’s core commitments around equity, access, and engagement, serving as a trusted mentor, role model, and passionate advocate for student success,” Superintendent Wade Smith said.
Ramirez had always planned to be a truck driver when he grew up, but he found himself in education when a practice interview led him to a job offer working with bilingual students in College Place Public Schools. Almost 40 years in education later, Ramirez is the first Washington recipient of the RISE Award.
