Global nonprofit Committee for Children has selected Katie McCracken, school counselor at Fairview Elementary, as one of 10 educators nationwide to receive its inaugural Second Step Educator of the Year award for the 2022-2023 school year.
Second Step is a research-based program that supports students’ development of critical life skills, well-being, and academic success. As an elementary school counselor, Mrs. McCracken tends to the emotional well-being and development of her students, ensuring that they are ready to tackle learning and creating an environment where all students can flourish. She uses the Second Step program to help guide her work.
“Kids need instruction on how to handle internal and external conflicts,” said Mrs. McCracken. “It's hard for a student to learn when they are having inner turmoil. School counselors try to relieve that turmoil by providing support with life skills, so that a student can focus on academic tasks at school. This counseling supports our students in making and keeping friendships; friendships equal connection and sense of belonging, which are crucial for a happy child and a happy life!”
As a Second Step Educator of the Year award winner, Katie McCracken joins a prestigious list of educators shaping and advancing children’s development of essential life skills in K-12 education, like communication, emotional management, and problem-solving, that will support
success in the classroom and throughout their lives.
“Mrs. McCracken was selected for her demonstrated ability to build supportive learning environments where her students are thriving socially, emotionally, and academically and her colleagues are valued and supported through her work,” said the Committee for Children.
2022-2023 award winners will be celebrated at Committee for Children’s Second Step
Educator Showcase, a live virtual event on August 22, 2023. “This award is important to me because I want our students to grow up to be successful adults with healthy relationships and meaningful work,” said Mrs. McCracken. “I have given my best effort to teaching emotional regulation skills to children, and I truly appreciate being recognized for my efforts. I think these skills are equally important as knowing how to read and count to a person's future success.”