Milford school counselor named state Behavioral Pro of Year 

Shannon Gronau from the Milford School District is this year’s Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Milford School District)

A school counselor at Mispillion Elementary School in Milford was named the 2024 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Monday night.

Shannon Gronau was chosen as the best in the state for her services in improving student mental health. an element of student success that has received a lot of attention since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Students thrive when they believe in their unique abilities and are given the opportunity to be a role model for younger students,” she said at Monday’s ceremony.

The award honors outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. 

Eligible employees school social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses or licensed clinical social workers.

The award is only in its third year, and two of the three winners have now been from Milford School District. 

Rosa DiPiazza from the district won the inaugural award in 2022 and Dana Carey from the Lake Forest School District won last year. 

Gronau is in her third year at Milford and has been a school counselor for 12 years. 

“Walking the halls, you can see the hugs and waves she receives,” said Ashley Ganley, Gronau’s assistant principal Monday. “The students trust her and confide in her.

Gronau’s students learn valuable self-regulation skills in small groups or whole classes, Ganley said, which is needed in today’s classroom and society.

Gronau’s title comes with $10,000, $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of her students and $5,000 for personal use.

The 19 other finalists – 18 from the other districts and one from the Delaware Charter Schools Network – get a $2,000 personal reward:

Appoquinimink School District

Laura Davis: school nurse at Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School

Brandywine School District

Tania Milionis: school counselor at Talley Middle School

Caesar Rodney School District 

Charles Brooks Jr.: mental health counselor at Caesar Rodney High School

Cape Henlopen School District 

Sean Laube: school psychologist at Love Creek Elementary School

Capital School District 

Jackie Collins: school counselor at Hartly Elementary School

Christina School District 

Amy Lowe: school psychologist at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School

Colonial School District 

Kahlil Fitzpatrick: school counselor at McCullough Middle School

Delaware Charter School Network

Lori Jones: family crisis therapist at Odyssey Charter School

Delmar School District 

Kelly Phillips: school counselor at Delmar Middle School

Indian River School District

Britney Lloyd: school nurse at North Georgetown Elementary School

Lake Forest School District

Karla M. Jester: family interventionist at Lake Forest Central Elementary School

New Castle County Vo-Tech School District 

Shannan Beck: school counselor at Delcastle Technical High School

Polytech School District 

Stacy Greenly: school counselor at POLYTECH High School

Red Clay Consolidated School District

Jessica Kradjel: school psychologist at McKean High School

Seaford School District 

Victoria Pierson: school counselor at Frederick Douglass Elementary School

Smyrna School District

Tiffany Duke: school counselor at Smyrna High School

Sussex County Vocational Technical School District

Lisa Fitler: school nurse at Sussex Technical High School

Woodbridge School District 

Katie Sears: school counselor at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School