Maria Romanko Named

Behavioral Health Professional of the Year

The Caesar Rodney School District is proud to recognize school psychologist Maria Romanko, of Caesar Rodney High School, as the District's first Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. This is a new award recently established by State Legislation and coordinated by the Department of Education. The state-wide winner will be announced in late May or early June.

The Behavioral Health Professional program is designed to recognize 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. Such school employees include school counselors, school social workers, licensed clinical social workers, school psychologists, licensed professional mental health counselors and school nurses.

“The support and care that Maria has provided to the students at the High School during her years here, has had a lasting effect on their lives.  Sometimes school is the only place students have the freedom to express themselves or talk openly about their fears or hopes.  Through the pandemic restrictions Maria’s job was even more important.  I am very grateful for all the ways Maria helps the students of the district, and we are very proud of her”, explained Sherry Kijowski, Caesar Rodney High School principal. 

Maria began working with the Caesar Rodney School District in January 2004 as a school psychologist at W. Reily Brown Elementary and John S. Charlton School.  After nine years, she moved to Caesar Rodney High School where she has served as the school psychologist for all 9^th grade through 12^th grade students.  Prior to joining the Caesar Rodney School District Ms. Romanko began her career working in Therapeutic Staff Support and as a Mobile Therapist and Behavioral therapist.   

Originally from Pennsylvania, Ms. Romanko has an extensive educational background that makes her an exceptional Behavioral Health Professional.  She graduated from King’s College, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.  She then completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Child Psychology from Marywood University, in Scranton, PA.  It was at Marywood that she also earned certification in School Psychology.

The Caesar Rodney Community, educators and students all congratulate Maria for her selection as Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.