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DSCA Professional Recognition
Karen Keegan Friend of School Counseling Award
Nominations 2025-2026
Do you know someone who always goes to bat for School Counselors?
Someone who cheers us on, amplifies our work, and helps make schools a brighter, more supportive place for students?
If so… we want to celebrate THEM!
We’re now accepting nominations for the 2026 Karen Keegan Award — an annual honor given to non–school counselors (think teachers, admins, volunteers, psychologists, nurses, social workers, parents, and other awesome humans) who advocate for and support the school counseling profession in meaningful ways.
Nominate your superstar advocate by December 19, 2025!
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School Counselor of the Year (SCOY)
Nominations 2025-2026
Nominations for the 2025-26 school year has closed!
Thank you to those who have nominated!
Dear Educators, Students, and Families,
Do you know an exceptional school counselor? Of course you do! There are lots of them, but has one made a significant impact on you, your child or maybe the school where you work? Now is the time to recognize and reflect on how school counselors impact and promote the academic and social emotional growth of students as they prepare to become citizens of the 21st century.
Would you like to honor a school counselor who has gone above and beyond the regular duties of their job, as they plan and implement programs and activities that make a difference for the students, families and communities in Delaware? In appreciation of our school counselors’ invaluable contributions, the DSCA Board is now accepting nominations for our Delaware School Counselor of the Year Award.
Nominating a school counselor is easy and a school counselor only needs ONE nomination in order to be part of the process. The nomination window is usually from early September to the first week in November, this year's nominations ended November 4th, 2025.
All nominees will be notified of their nomination(s) after the deadline date and will be provided with information about the next step in the process.
It is important to note that this award is different from the State of Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Award. School counselors are eligible for both awards, but each is overseen by different entities and has different requirements. The chart below outlines some of those similarities and differences.
Feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested in nominating a school counselor. If you have any questions, contact Jodi DaCosta, (302) 722-7118
Sincerely,
Jodi DaCosta & Nicole Cox
DSCA Professional Recognition Co-Chairs
SCOY vs. BHPY
It is important to note that this award is different from the State of Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year Award. School counselors are eligible for both awards, but each is overseen by different entities and has different requirements. The chart below outlines some of those similarities and differences.
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Congrats to School Counselor of the Year
Mindy Adams
Milton Elementary, Cape Henlopen School District