The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development has recognized a new class of outstanding school counselors for the 2025-26 school year.
“The school counselors in BCPS are vital to ensuring the academic progress, personal growth, and overall well-being of our students, and they contribute significantly to the school counseling profession,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers.
“The annual awards from the Baltimore County Association of Counseling and Development are one way we can thank these tireless professionals for the daily care and superior services they provide to support our students.”
Here is a list of Eastern Baltimore County BCPS members that named School Counselors of the Year and a quote on their accomplishments:
• Samantha Lutters, Deep Creek Elementary School
“Lutters’ work consistently supports students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. She creates safe, supportive spaces through small group counseling and individualized support, ensuring that every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. Lutters is also a dedicated mentor to graduate counseling interns, modeling best practices and contributing to the development of future
school counselors. Her strong relationships with students and staff foster a positive, inclusive school culture grounded in trust and collaboration. Through her compassion, leadership, and commitment to student well-being, Samantha makes a lasting impact across the Deep Creek Elementary community.”
• Shawrn Watson, Dundalk Middle School
“Watson is a dedicated leader whose lasting impact extends throughout Dundalk Middle School and the broader Dundalk feeder community. As leader of the school counseling department, he successfully managed the responsibilities of two counselors during a departmental vacancy while continuing to provide strong support for students, staff, and families. Watson also expanded access
to mental health services by tripling the number of outside counseling providers available to the
school community. In addition, he played a key role in strengthening articulation efforts across
elementary and high schools, helping create a more streamlined and supportive transition process for students and families.”
The following school counselors with fewer than five years’ experience were named Rookie School Counselors of the Year:
• Rebecca Meiller, Harford Hills Elementary School
“Meiller has quickly become an essential part of the Harford Hills school community, strengthening relationships among students, families, and staff, while supporting students’ emotional development. She delivers a comprehensive, data-informed counseling program with consistency, providing classroom lessons, small groups, and individualized support.
“Meiller’s ability to de-escalate challenging situations allows students to feel seen, heard, and supported, even in moments of
distress. She collaborates closely with teachers, offering practical strategies that reduce behavioral challenges and foster more trusting, supportive classroom environments. Through her steady presence, Meiller contributes to a school culture grounded in care, accountability, and student growth”
School Counselor Advocate of the Year:
John Noonan, Shady Spring Elementary School
“In addition, the association honored John as its School Counselor Advocate of the Year. This award honors a BCPS administrator, teacher, support staff, parent, or community member who supports the critical work school counselors do for all children. As principal of Shady Spring Elementary School, Noonan serves as a strong advocate for school counseling. He champions schoolwide social-emotional learning initiatives to foster a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment for students. Noonan collaborates regularly with the counseling team to review student data, identify trends, and develop responsive interventions. He consistently supports school counseling best practices by ensuring that
counselors can focus on direct student services, family collaboration, and preventive programming.
“Through his commitment to student well-being, Noonan has helped cultivate a collaborative school culture that benefits students, families, and staff alike.”