SPPS School Counselors of the Year
2025-26 SPPS School Counselor of the Year
Every year, SPPS counselors at each level nominate colleagues for our District School Counselor of the Year award. All counselors vote to determine the winner. In May, we put forward an application for MSCA School Counselor of the Year for each of these counselors. At the state level, one counselor is chosen for Elementary, Middle and High School.
Elementary School Counselor of The Year
Vanessa Amaya, Districtwide Early Learning Center
"In her work with families, Vanessa maintains a balance of professional guidance and personal relatability. She is highly knowledgeable about community resources and takes the initiative to connect families with the specific services they require. Vanessa can be counted upon to ensure children and families have the needed resources for school and home success." - Lori Erikson, Principal of Early Learning HUB
Middle School Counselor of the Year
Justine Revermann, Murray Middle School
"Our students and families see Ms. Revermann as a granite pillar of our school. She sees students and families as partners in the work of leading our Murray Pilots down the path to success. Ms. Revermann is one of those extraordinary individuals that has defined what it truly means to be a servant of your community. Saint Paul Public Schools is very fortunate to have her as a team member. As her principal, I am honored to be able to offer a brief window into the great work that Ms. Revermann fully commits to every single day." - Jamin MacKenzie, Principal of Murray Middle School
High School Counselor of the Year
Koryn Saunders Stroud, Gordon Parks High School
"Koryn is a dedicated advocate for student success at Gordon Parks, known for her commitment to equitable decision-making and collaborative leadership. By spearheading mental health initiatives, career exposure programs, and data-driven scheduling changes, she played a key role in increasing graduation rates by 17 percent and establishing vital support groups for Native American students. Koryn provides tireless, year-round mentorship, ensuring every student is empowered to graduate and succeed in the world beyond school." - Shandyn Benson, Principal of Gordon Parks High School
Previous SPPS School Counselors Of The Year
2025
- Lori 'Sunny' Sundelius* - Elementary
- Samantha Gray* - Middle School
- Shanie Xiong - High School
2024
- Kristina Rogers* - Elementary
- Elisabeth Mulvaney - Middle School
- Micha Langenberg - High School
2023
- Becky Luetje - Elementary
- Barbie Woodruff - Middle School
- Erika Huss - High School
2022
- Errol Edwards* - Elementary
- John Eschenbacher* - High School
2020
- Keela Kuhlers* - Elementary
*These counselors also received School Counselor of the Year awards from MSCA.