School Counselor of the Year: Danielle R. Crankfield
Danielle R. Crankfield, a school counselor at Crofton High School in Gambrills, Md., is the 2026 School Counselor of the Year®. She has been a school counselor since 2010. Sarasota Middle School, serves 1,900 students, grades 9–12.
“She is a natural leader who advocates not only for her students’ and families’ needs, but also for systemic changes to break down the entrenched barriers that have resulted in students of color not receiving the same access to educational opportunities, said Daniel Kassel, assistant principal, Crofton High School. “Although this work is difficult, frustrating and exhausting at times, Ms. Crankfield is always upbeat and positive and has a unique way of making all who interact with her feel comfortable and heard. She is genuine and passionate about her profession and the crucial role a school counselor has in the life and future of a child.” Read more about Danielle.
What Makes Danielle Tick?
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a pediatrician.
What’s one goal you have for your school counseling program next year?
I would like for 100% of our seniors to graduate with a viable postsecondary plan that the school counseling department has supported them with accessing.
If you could have an unlimited supply of anything for the rest of your life, what would it be?
In a perfect world, I would love to have an unlimited supply of money, not to be selfish, but to help students and to do more to elevate the school counseling program. Practically, an unlimited supply of Coca-Cola Classic from the fountain (think McDonald's strength) would also be nice.
How would you describe your job to a 5 year old?
I would tell a 5 year old that I help teenagers pick classes to take at school, plan their lives after high school, and manage their feelings whether those feelings are big, small, or somewhere in between. Also, I have a lot of meetings.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can soul line dance really well.
What’s one important skill you think everyone should have?
I think everyone should be able to label their emotions.
What could you talk about for 30 minutes with no notes?
Music, specifically R&B music.
How did you get into school counseling?
When I was in high school I had a school counselor named Juliet Jones. She was so kind and helpful to me, which I needed because I suffered a lot of grief and loss during high school. During my senior year, I served as an aide for the school counseling department. I observed the school counselors and their involvement with students. I realized that my peers and I were having different experiences depending on who our assigned school counselor was. It made me want to be for younger students who Ms. Jones was for me. As I went through college I went from wanting to be a school counselor to a child psychologist to a school psychologist and finally landed back at school counseling. I applied and was accepted to The Johns Hopkins University School Counseling Program. When I graduated from Johns Hopkins, I didn’t immediately get a school counseling position. I worked at Michael’s Craft Store and was a substitute teacher for almost two years prior to landing a long-term school counseling substitute position. As I worked with students, staff and families at that school, I realized that school counseling was right for me. That summer I landed my first permanent school counseling position. I have been blessed to work with students in the way that Ms. Jones (now Violet) worked with me. Not landing a school counseling position for two years was discouraging, but I did not give up. Witnessing students grow and the relationships with students, staff and families that I've developed over the years affirm that I am in the right profession.