The behavioral professional of year will be announced next month.
One of 20 nominees from each district and a charter school will be named 2023 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year June 8 at a ceremony in Dover.
School behavioral specialists are typically psychologists, counselors, social workers or nurses.
They assist teachers by working one-on-one with students who might be disruptive, students who are disengaged due to something like ADHD, or any other behavioral interferences to a child’s learning.
“Behavioral health professionals are critical to the success of our schools and communities,” said Mark Holodick, secretary of education at the Department of Education.
These workers are often working with Delaware’s children and families when they are the most vulnerable, Holodick said.
“They help them navigate struggles and find the resources and supports they need to be healthy and successful in school and life,” he said.
Each finalist earns $2,000, and the winner will get $10,000 – $5,000 to pocket and $5,000 for the educational benefit of their students.
In 2021, the Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Program was established by the 151st General Assembly and the first award was given out in 2022.
To be eligible for a nomination, the candidate must: have at least three years experience as a behavioral health professional, hold a certification or licensure credential through the Department of Education and/or the Professional Regulation Board and continue to serve in a behavioral health position for the award year.
This year’s finalists are:
Carlton Adams –social worker at Appoquinimink at several locations
Heather Richards – psychologist at Brandywine’s Harlan Elementary School
Emily White – mental health counselor at Caesar Rodney’s Fifer Middle School
Tara Gambale – psychologist at Cape Henlopen’s Sussex Consortium
Jennifer Marciarello Benson – behavior interventionist at Capital’s William Henry Middle School
Trudy Small – nurse at Christina’s Downes Elementary School
Courtney Waters – family support therapist at Colonial’s New Castle Elementary School
Cynthia Hovan – nurse at the Academy of Dover Charter School
Nicole LaPearl – psychologist and special services coordinator at Delmar Middle and High schools
Jessi Ford – counselor at Indian River’s Showell Elementary School
Dana Carey – counselor at Lake Forest North Elementary School
Sharon Dolby – counselor at Laurel Elementary School
Ally Zanks – counselor at Milford’s Lulu Ross Elementary School
Mark W. Wells – social emotional learning coach and counselor at New Castle County Vo-Tech
Ivy Truitt – counselor at POLYTECH High School
Lauren Lee – psychologist at Red Clay at several locations
Evan Wagner – counselor at Seaford’s Blades Elementary School
Jessica Krambeck – psychologist at Smyrna’s Early Childhood Program
Catherine Schilling – mental health counselor at Sussex Technical High School
Trisha Stiles – counselor at Woodbridge High School
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
