Woodbridge school counselor named 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of Year

Taylor Richey, a school counselor from the Woodbridge School District, is the state's 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.

Secretary of Education Cindy Marten made the announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.

The Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center counselor said creating a consistent, welcoming and loving environment is essential to building relationships with students. She reflected on her work with a student who eloped, received frequent disciplinary referrals for fighting, was socially withdrawn and was failing academically. After consistent school counseling support, the student began engaging positively with staff and peers and attained honor roll status.

"Not only was this student's growth shown through increased academics, stronger peer connections, decreased behavior and improved emotional regulations, his story also shaped my practice and demonstrated the power of connection, relationships, and meeting students where they are," Richey said. "The work I did with this student is a testament to the positive impact of counseling services, enabled me to see the importance of creating an inclusive, safe and loving environment for all students, and empowered me to use more preventative practices in the early childhood setting."

Her principal, Dane Sears, said Richey approaches her role with a servant's heart and unwavering commitment to students.

"What makes Taylor's work especially meaningful is her deep personal connection to our school community," Sears said. "A Blue Raider at heart, Taylor returned home to serve as a counselor in the same district and school she once attended as a student. She walks the same hallways, now as a trusted advocate and mentor, determined to give back to the place that helped shape her. This connection fuels her passion and strengthens her ability to relate to students and families with authenticity and empathy."

The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes 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. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:

• School counselors
• School social workers
• Licensed clinical social workers
• School psychologists
• School nurses

From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner's district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware's Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.

Find photos and learn more about all the 2026 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year here.

Find video of tonight's announcement here.