LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Brooke Krohn was nominated by her principal, Doug Anderson.

Ms. Krohn's colleagues in the NRHEG District have known about her for years and have been the lucky recipient of her efforts. They believe it is time for others in the state of Minnesota and beyond to realize and come to know her and her efforts in this small, rural south-central Minnesota district.

Ms. Krohn’s priority and passion is serving students and families. As a licensed school social worker, she effectively and consistently provides all school staff with the education and resources necessary to remain current and effective while supporting students with their mental health needs. She is a strong supporter of PBIS and serves as its coach for the district. This spring, she provided a session for all paraprofessionals on the effects of poverty on students and families. This year, she will be attending a WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) training session designed to support middle school students as they transition from one building to the next and from the elementary to the secondary school. She is a strong student advocate and stands firm in her ideals and beliefs regarding students.

"As elementary principal, it is my honor to observe first-hand her interactions with students on a daily basis. From seeing them lined up at her door at 7:30 a.m. each morning, to cramming her office to overflow capacity at noon to be a part of her effective 'lunch bunch' group, she demonstrates compassion and understanding for every student she works with." Anderson said.

Ms. Krohn doesn’t hesitate from taking the “hard-line” position when needed to support what she feels is best for students. Whether she is engaged in one-to-one, small group, or classroom presentations, her message is clear: “I believe in you, we believe in you, and we are all here to help you.” Ms. Krohn is skilled at organizing collaborative activities and opportunities for students and district residents. She works closely with school staff, community volunteers, clergy and others to coordinate efforts to support students. Along with a couple of other individuals, she has organized the school’s backpack program, which ensures that students receive a bag of food items for each and every weekend. Ms. Krohn works closely with a mental health therapist and caseworker to ensure that services are available for students and that flawless transitions occur. She makes certain that no time is wasted in serving students and their mental health needs.

Ms. Krohn knows kids, and kids know Ms. Krohn. She is consistently available in the community and will seek out opportunities within the community to support students. She devotes countless personal hours of her own time to ensure that students’ needs are being met and that families are supported.

"It has been a privilege to sit in on many family meetings with Ms. Krohn, where at times, it is her responsibility to share the 'honest news' about a student. Her professionalism and respect for families is remarkable," Anderson said. "In moments of crisis, Ms. Krohn is the first individual that I call and the one that I want beside me as we navigate whatever the incident, or situation may be. As a small district in rural Minnesota we have experienced our share of tragedy and despair. As a school social worker, Ms. Krohn, working very closely with others, tends to the needs of hurting students, families and staff all while maintaining dignity and respect for everyone involved."

She isn’t afraid to show her emotions and to educate children on the process of grieving and healing. Ms. Krohn is also an individual who, long after an event has passed, continues to quietly and respectfully check in with students and families to just see how everyone is doing.

"As a member of the NRHEG District, one tends to forget how truly lucky we are to live where we do and to work with the individuals that we work with. We become so accustomed to the high standards that are in place for meeting the needs of students and families. We tend to forget that other places aren’t as lucky as we are and are not as fortunate to have access to the mental health staff in place in their schools and communities," Anderson said.

Every day, the NRHEG District gets to witness an outstanding school social worker go about the business of meeting the needs of students and families. That social worker is Ms. Krohn.