2023 Maryland School Counselor of the Year,  Heather Quill 
Lincoln Elementary School 
Frederick County Public Schools

Ms. Quill was nominated by Kathleen Klecan, a colleague. Ms. Klecan writes: Heather has been an incredible support for the communities she has served and is also a person who helps to drive the professional learning of other school counselors in the county.  Without a doubt, she shows all of the qualities of an excellent school counselor.  In her comprehensive school counseling plan, she focuses on how being trauma informed, culturally responsive and using restorative practices can positively impact the ability of students to access learning.  Her plan involves providing a lot of psychoeducation and tools for her staff.  Her lessons and activities focused on consistent language related to emotional regulation and a sense of belonging. She further used the research to help students advocate for their emotional needs, and train staff in responses that were sensitive to trauma and culture. In the first 3 months of the program we witnessed a reduction in crisis calls.  Additionally, Heather takes this passion and strives towards sharing it with her fellow school counselors as well.  She consistently is connecting with us and sharing resources and new learning.  

Lincoln ES principal Eric Rhodes, shared, “Mrs. Quill is a constant cheerleader to build the culture that surrounds her to reassure that each person feels heard and supported.  During the pandemic, Mrs. Quill created and continues to create daily lessons for classroom instruction and recorded videos that are relevant to the needs of our students. Her ability to network and connect with various organizations to partner together to support our families in need is like no other.  Her involvement and connectivity that she delivers to provide our families with the best support is profound.” 

Congratulations to Heather Quill, the Maryland School Counselor of the Year Honoree for 2023.

As our School Counselor of the Year, Ms. Quill will be representing the state of Maryland at the national level with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) later this year.

2023 Maryland Middle School Counselor of the Year, Katie Mendelson
Kingsview Middle School
Montgomery County Public Schools

Ms. Mendelson was nominated by Arianne Haydel, Instructional Specialist for Montgomery County Public Schools.  A parent wrote the following about Ms. Mendelson: Ms. Mendelson is by far the most outstanding school counselor I have ever seen.  Her ability to recognize and support the needs of individual students, collaborate with and support families, and demonstrate leadership within the Kingsview school community are exemplary. Most importantly, she instills in all of  her students a want to learn and achieve.

Congratulations to Katie Mendelson, the Maryland Middle School Counselor of the Year Honoree for 2023.

2023 Maryland High School School Counselor of the Year, Irene J. Khaksari
Centennial High School
Howard County Public Schools

Ms. Khaksari  was nominated by Alyssa Norris, a colleague who writes: Irene is an incredible school counselor. Irene dedicates her life to her students, staff and families. Irene is known to not only go above and beyond in running groups for her students, having an open door, and supporting her staff, but she mentors school counselors by taking on interns every year. Irene is a professional; she shows up every day with an incredible attitude and willingness to advocate for her students. Her students always feel they can trust her and they depend heavily on her support every day. 

Congratulations to Irene J. Khaksari, Maryland High School Counselor of the Year for 2023.

2023 Maryland Novice School Counselor of the Year, Matthew Schwarzenberg
South Carroll High School
Carroll County Public Schools

The MSCA Recognition Committee created a new award category this year called Novice School Counselor of the Year Award to recognize a rising star in the school counseling profession with less than 5 years of school counseling experience.  This honoree has inspired their students, colleagues and administrators, through their dedication and work ethic to the profession, and by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.

This year’s honoree was nominated by Nicole Fagan, supervisor of School Counseling and Christie McCubbin, School Counselors Mentor in Carroll County Public Schools.  Ms. Fagan writes: It was evident the first time I met Matt that he values advocating for students, their families, and the school counseling profession. He works tirelessly to support students in all tiers.

Congratulations to Matt Schwarzenberg, our Novice School Counselor of the Year Honoree for 2023.

2023 Dr. Vivian Lee Advocate of the Year, Kira Schuman
UniServ Director 
Maryland State Education Association

We want to celebrate a person whose advocacy of school counseling services in a school setting has had a positive effect on school counseling on a local or state level.  The Dr. Vivian Lee Advocate of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Vivian Lee, the former Post Secondary Vice President of MSCA to celebrate her life, legacy and dedication to the profession.

This year’s honoree was nominated by Stephanie Dix, from the Professional School Counselors of Howard County.  Ms. Dix writes: Through her role as UniServ Director at Maryland State Education Association, her support, the HCPSS School Counselors voices are being heard much stronger than in years past and action is being taken to support the work of school counselors.

Congratulations to Kira Schuman, our Dr. Vivian Lee Advocate of the Year Award Honoree for 2023.

2023 Maryland Administrator of the Year, Karla Steinbach
Principal, Meade MS
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

A key member of a supportive and collaborative school counseling team are administrators.  MSCA has developed the MSCA Administrator of the Year Award to recognize an administrator of a Maryland school who has empowered and enriched the school counseling program.

This year’s honoree was nominated by Katherine Shaw, school counselor at Meade Middle School.  Ms. Shaw writes: Ms. Steinbach has shown unwavering commitment to the school counseling department, really listening to concerns, working to understand the role of school counselors, and then, supporting in response. 

Congratulations to Karla Steinbach, our Administrator of the Year Honoree for 2023.

2023 School Counselor of the Year Nominees

Nominated applicants demonstrate evidence of implementation of a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and have been responsible for school counseling innovations or further development of programs supporting students’ career, personal/social and academic development.  Applicants also demonstrate leadership and collaboration in their work and promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students to maximize achievement.  Applicants demonstrate continual professional development as well as proof of advocacy for the profession and/or students. And finally, they have the ability and skills necessary to represent school counseling in a professional manner.

Please congratulate the following Nominees:

Jennifer Bagnall
Pine Grove Middle School
Baltimore County Public Schools

Shelly Borucki
Fort Garrison Elementary School
Baltimore County Public Schools

Amy Cook
Holly Hall Elementary School
Cecil County Public Schools

Erica Durr
Northwestern High School
Prince George’s County Public School System

Danielle R. Crankfield
Crofton High School
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Jenny Fleming
Burning Tree Elementary School
Montgomery County Public Schools

Delyza Howard
Damascus Elementary School
Montgomery County Public Schools

Lauren Loli
Wilson Wims Elementary School
Montgomery County Public Schools

Bettina OliverMcCain
Lake Elkhorn Middle School
Howard County Public Schools System

Erin Scott
Mt. Airy Elementary School
Carroll County Public Schools

Mary Catherine Weaver
Cradlerock Elementary School
Howard County Public Schools System