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