Crofton High School Counselor Danielle Crankfield Earns 2026 National School Counselor of the Year Recognition

Crofton High School's Danielle Crankfield has been named the 2026 National School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). She is the first counselor from Maryland to receive this prestigious honor.

Ms. Crankfield was surprised with the announcement during an event at Crofton High School, where she was met by students, colleagues, school board members, Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, and her family.

“I am honored, humbled, and ecstatic to have earned this award,” said Crankfield, a National Board Certified Counselor. “It lets me know that school counselors are important for our children. To every student, whether on my caseload or not, this award is because of you.”

Her selection was heavily influenced by her efforts to increase equitable access to advanced coursework at Crofton High. She analyzed early data that showed African American and Hispanic students were significantly underrepresented in higher-level classes. In response, she developed an integrated roadmap for teacher course recommendations and spearheaded efforts to promote rigorous coursework aligned with student interests. Since implementing these changes, the access gap has narrowed, better reflecting the school’s diverse population.

"Ms. Crankfield is an exceptional school counselor and an even more remarkable person," said Principal Greg Ryan. "She empowers students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."

Molly McCloskey of ASCA’s Selection Committee praised her work, noting, “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.”

This recognition is a significant point of pride for Crofton High School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and the state of Maryland.