NBCC is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) Awards. These awards recognize school counselors who have invested extraordinary effort to meet the needs of students, families, and stakeholders in their school community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

School counselors across the United States brought to their work a personal investment of resources, energy, and creativity to meet the unprecedented needs of their communities. NBCC created the NCSC Awards to recognize this phenomenal achievement and to help promote programs that school counselors are implementing with students, families, and stakeholders.

The 10 award recipients of the 2021 NCSC Award are:
Daniel Birdsong of Creek View Elementary School, Maylene, Alabama
Davina Capik of South Eastern School District, Elementary, York County, Pennsylvania
Timothy Conway of Lakeland Regional High School, Wanaque, New Jersey
Lezlie DelVecchio-Marks of Shaler Area School District, Burchfield and Reserve Primary Schools, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Erin Ellis of Spring Lake Magnet School, Omaha, Nebraska
Bobbi-Jo Gross of Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary School, Delta, Pennsylvania
Crystal Hatton of Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle School, Newport News, Virginia
Susan Jones of Ripley Middle School, Ripley, West Virginia
Mark Miller of the Wake County Public School System, North Carolina
Katerina Sorrell of Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Orange County, California

“Each of these NCSCs has not only demonstrated an impressive and remarkable commitment to the well-being and development of their students, they have also put forth an extensive personal investment in the success of their school community,” says NBCC President and CEO Kylie Dotson-Blake. “NBCC applauds their efforts and values their contributions.”

NBCC bestowed awards earlier this month, which includes $1,000 to advance recipients’ work with students. Choosing the 10 applicants out of the many dedicated NCSCs who applied was not an easy task. Successful applicants demonstrated impactful innovations and programs to address mental health and academic needs in their school communities.

In addition to describing the actions, initiatives, or opportunities they implemented in the preceding year, applicants were required to provide a letter of support from a school administrator. NBCC also asked applicants to provide their personal observations and professional opinion of pressing mental health needs within the student population and how these relate to the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, approximately a quarter of school-aged youth qualified for mental health services. It is clear that the pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by children relative to food security, health, stress, family violence, substance abuse, and anxiety. School counselors continue to work diligently to identify resources and innovative ways to connect with students and families and provide much needed services.

Thank you to all NCCs and NCSCs for your efforts and contributions to your communities during an unprecedented time of difficulty around the world. As counselors, you strive to meet mental health needs within your community and promote the growth, development, and resilience of the individuals with whom you work.

Learn more about the National Certified School Counselor credential.