Tonight, student mental health advocates in Delaware schools were recognized for their work.
The Delaware Department of Education’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Awards Dinner recognized school counselors, social workers, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists and school nurses from nearly 20 schools in Delaware.
Each nominee representing a school district or charter school received a $2,000 award from their respective school district or charter school in recognition of their commitment to students.
This year’s 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year recipient is Taylor Ritchie, a school counselor in the Woodbridge School District.
As this year’s winner, Ritchie received a total of $5,000 from the state and district.
The Woodbridge School District will also receive $5,000 to support Ritchie’s students.
She said she is honored to be recognized for her work in the Woodbridge School District, as she graduated from the district while she was a student.
Ritchie also gave a message to fellow candidates.
“Your work is meaningful and it takes a village to support our students and families,” Ritchie said. “The connections you make are Case And the impact you have on each child will last a lifetime. ”
Last year, Red Clay Unified School District social worker Jaclyn Durant was named Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
The 2026 District and Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year are:
- Apokinimink School District: Debra Taylor, School Counselor, Townsend Elementary School
- Brandywine School District: Tina Lombardo, School Counselor, Mount Pleasant Elementary School
- Caesar Rodney School District: Nicole Borris, School Counselor, Nellie Stokes Elementary School
- Cape Henlopen School District: Terry Tipton, School Social Worker, Sussex Consortium
- Capital School District: Heather Berkus, school nurse, Hartley Elementary School.
- Christina School District: Angelique “Angel” Boyce, Sarah Pyle Academy School Nurse
- Colonial School District: Nicole Irwin, School Social Worker, John Leach School
- Delaware Charter School Network: Dawnel Furlong, School Nurse, Sussex Academy
- Indian River School District: Dennis Parsons, School Nurse, Selbyville Middle School
- Lake Forest School District: Jennifer Satterfield, Lake Forest Central Elementary School Counselor
- Laurel School District: Logan Downs, Laurel High School, School Nurse
- Milford School District: Angel Mills, School Counselor, Morris Early Childhood Center
- New Castle County Votech School District: Kristan Garofalo, School Counselor, Hodgson Vocational Technical High School
- POLYTECH School District: Andrea Spence, School Counselor, POLYTECH High School
- Red Clay Unified School District: Kelly R. Nichol, School Psychologist, Conrad School of Science
- Seaford School District: Rhonda Bailey, School Social Worker, Blaze Elementary School
- Smyrna School District: Dina Pennington, Sunnyside Elementary School Counselor
- Sussex County Vocational Technical School District: Krista Schirmer, School Counselor, Sussex Technical High School
- Winner — Woodbridge School District: Taylor Ritchie, School Counselor, Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center
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