The Washington, DC area is full of amazing moms. There are working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, moms of multiples, foster moms, adoptive moms, etc. We want to highlight some of those moms like Shana Schnaue. Each month we will feature one special mom as the Mom of the Month. Know a fellow amazing local mom here? Nominate them here!
Meet our April Mom of the Month: Shana Schnaue
Shana Schnaue is an Elementary School Counselor in Fairfax County Public School System.
She lives in Loudoun County and is married to her husband, and is mom to
a sweet 1 year old baby girl. She grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland and moved to
Northern Virginia in 2016.
Professionally, Shana has spent the past 18 years working as an Elementary School Counselor in Maryland and Northern Virginia. She has been involved with the American Counseling Association and has hosted the First Timer’s Orientation at ACA’s annual conference as well as presented in learning sessions at their conference.
Shana has been recognized for her work with students with special needs and has been recognized as an Outstanding Professional three times at the schools she has worked in. Shana loves to read, cook and bake for her family and friends and hang out at home with her family.
Here is our Q&A with Shana Schnaue
1. Tell us why you became a School Counselor at FCPS.
I have always loved working with kids. Growing up, I was always the friend whom my friends came to when they needed support or were looking for advice to solve problems. When exploring careers, I learned that I could combine my love of working with kids and helping people by becoming a School Counselor.
2. How can families access guidance counselors at FCPS?
I started my career in Montgomery County MD and when I moved to Virginia, FCPS was the
only school system that I considered working for. They are very supportive of their School
Counselors and it felt right to apply to work in FCPS.
Any parent can access their child’s school counselor. Parents can reach out for just about anything. Family changes, friendship issues, teacher concerns or appreciation, loss and grief of a loved one or pet, moving/transition concerns, school changes, behavioral concerns, sibling issues, or even for questions they don’t know who to go to. Of course we handle crises, bullying, community issues, neglect etc. Check the school web site to find who the counselor is and reach out. We are always happy to help!
3. Tell us about your journey to adopt.
Growing our family didn’t go as we had planned. I struggled with infertility and wasn’t successful with fertility treatments. My husband and I had some great conversations about alternative ways to grow our family and we decided on adoption. It took 3 years with two disruptions before we matched, but we couldn’t be happier with our daughter!
Do you know an amazing mom? Nominate a mom of the month here!
