Students, staff, and family members helped pull off a surprise celebration at Crofton High School when counselor Danielle Crankfield walked into the media center and learned she had been named the 2026 National School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Crankfield, a National Board Certified Counselor who has served Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) since 2010 and has been at Crofton High School since it opened in 2020, is the first school counselor from Maryland ever to receive the national honor. A Surprise Announcement for a National Honor As Crankfield entered the media center, she was greeted by students, current and former colleagues, Board of Education members, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell, and her own family members, including her parents, two aunts, and two nephews. The gathering was arranged to share the news that she had been selected as the top school counselor in the country. “I am honored, humbled, and ecstatic to have earned this award,” Crankfield said. “It lets me know that school counselors are important for our children. I stand alongside an amazing team with strong district support that I could not do this work without. This work will continue and we will make the program even better. To every student, whether on my caseload or not, this award is because of you. Your success. Your ability to do what you want in this world is what motivates me every single day. This is for you.” Crankfield had been named one of five national finalists last month before being selected for the top honor. Closing Access Gaps at Crofton High School When Crankfield joined Crofton High School, she immediately began analyzing school data. She discovered that African American and Hispanic students were underrepresented in advanced coursework. In response, she developed a roadmap for middle and high school teachers to use when making course recommendations and led efforts to better publicize advanced and high-level courses that aligned with students’ interests and goals. During her tenure, access to these courses grew to better reflect the diversity and composition of the student body, helping more students see advanced classes as attainable and appropriate options. Praised as a Leader and “North Star” Crofton High School Principal Greg Ryan said Crankfield’s impact extends well beyond scheduling and data. “Ms. Crankfield is an exceptional school counselor and an even more remarkable person,” Ryan said. “She empowers students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, while also strengthening our staff by fostering positive relationships, encouraging collaboration, and challenging us to bring our very best to our students each day.” Her work has also drawn high praise from ASCA’s selection committee. Molly McCloskey, a member of ASCA’s School Counselor of the Year Selection Committee, said, “Danielle represents the very best in professional school counseling from her commitment to her students’ academic, college/career and social/emotional success, to her reputation among her peers as Crofton High School’s ‘North Star.’ Her excellence is not only in what she does, but in the way she does it authentically and with an eye toward meaningful, measurable results.” National Recognition in Washington, D. C. Crankfield and the other national finalists will be honored in Washington, D. C., during National School Counseling Week in February, joining school counselors from across the country for a series of recognition events. The National School Counselor of the Year program, administered by ASCA, highlights counselors who demonstrate outstanding leadership, advocate for equitable access, and deliver comprehensive counseling programs that support students’ academic, career, and social-emotional development. More information about the American School Counselor Association and the School Counselor of the Year program is available on ASCA’s website.
https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2025/11/crofton-high-school-counselor-named-2026-national-school-counselor-of-the-year/
Crofton High School Counselor Named 2026 National School Counselor of the Year
