District Counselors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURTNEY BURCK
Grant Elementary School 

Courtney Burck attended Eastern Washington University and began her career as a PE and Health teacher. Driven by a desire to support students on a more personal level, she transitioned into school counseling to focus on their social and emotional well-being. Her commitment to helping students navigate challenges makes her a valuable advocate for their growth and success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRIANNE GRIFFITH
Grant Elementary

Brianne Griffith spent five years at Renew working as a counselor in the Crisis Department, where she discovered how much she loves supporting people through tough moments. Those experiences strengthened her passion for working with students and being someone they can count on for encouragement, understanding and support. Brianne Griffith has an AA in Early Childhood Education from Big Bend, a Bachelor of Science in Social Services from Central Washington University and an MBA in Health Administration from Southern Oregon University. She is currently pursuing her master’s in School Counseling at Grand Canyon University.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAEMMI CROSBY JASMAN
Ephrata Middle School

Gaemmi Crosby Jasman, a lifelong Eastern Washington resident, has over 26 years of experience in youth mental health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University, as well as a Master of School Psychology from Washington State University. Jasman has spent six years counseling in elementary schools and the past 20 years in middle schools. Her dedication and expertise make her a strong advocate for student well-being and resilience.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAINA MITCHELL
Ephrata High School

With a bachelor's degree in Public Health from the University of Washington, Laina Mitchell spent over a decade in healthcare and public health before transitioning to school counseling. She holds a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling from Arkansas State University. Mitchell's background sparked a passion for helping young people build resilience and navigate life’s challenges, driving her commitment to fostering supportive, inclusive school environments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JENNY RATIGAN
Ephrata High School

Jenny Ratigan became a high school counselor because she is passionate about supporting students and families as they navigate the high school journey. She values helping students grow academically and personally, empowering them to overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and reach their goals. Her experience includes roles in career guidance at Ephrata High School, juvenile court counseling, college student support, and middle school counseling—giving her a broad understanding of the needs students bring to school. Since joining EHS in 2018–19, she has been dedicated to building meaningful connections that help students feel supported, confident, and prepared for their future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELI GARCIA
Columbia Ridge Elementary 

Eli Garcia is a long-time member of the Ephrata School District team and currently serves as the school counselor at Columbia Ridge Elementary. Before joining Columbia Ridge, he supported students and families as the counselor at Grant Elementary. With years of experience and deep roots in the district, Eli is known for building strong relationships and creating a welcoming, supportive environment for all students. His dedication to helping children grow socially, emotionally and academically continues to make a positive impact across the Ephrata community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHONDA HAGY
Ephrata High School 

Rhonda Hagy began her career at Ephrata School District in 1996 as a School Psychologist. She later served as a Counselor and Psychologist at Parkway before joining Ephrata High School as a Counselor in 2010. With a strong background in psychology from Big Bend Community College and Eastern Washington University, she is dedicated to supporting students' growth. A proud member of the Ephrata community, she and her family appreciate the small-town values that make it a great place to live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRIS MASSIMINI
Parkway Intermediate

Christopher Massimini earned a bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies from BYU–Idaho and a master’s in School Counseling from Capella University. He has always liked helping people and knew early on that he wanted to work in counseling. After working at a treatment center for boys, Chris realized he wanted to focus on prevention and support before challenges grow bigger. That led him to school counseling, where he enjoys being someone students can trust and turn to for guidance.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JAY MILLS
Ephrata High School 

Jay Mills joined Ephrata High School in 1997 as a social studies and physical education teacher and has served as the Student Services Director / Counselor since 2008. Passionate about guiding student through their high school journey, he is dedicated to their growth and success. Beyond his role in the Counseling Center, Mills has also been a key contributor to EHS Football, coaching in multiple capacities over the years.