Ballard HS Counseling Resources

Announcements!

• The counselors are hosting another college application help session on Wed, Nov. 5 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Counseling Center. Seniors can bring their laptop to get help with their college applications.
• Students! Remember to check your email regularly for all important news!

Ballard HS Counseling Center Staff

Students are assigned to Ballard HS Counselors by the first letter of their last name. Our Counselors work with students to help them develop strategies for success in academics, social skills, and in considering their post-high school plans and career options. They encourage students to become aware of their individual strengths, develop methods for dealing with difficulties, setting goals, and to make good choices and help students deal with social and emotional issues.

BHS Counseling Secretary & Social Worker!

Welcome Counseling Secretary, Say Tuitele; sttuitele@seattleschools.org “I graduated from Ballard High in 2009 and never imagined I’d find my way back here, but here I am! I worked in the Ballard Teen Health Center from 2018 to 2024, took a year off, and now I’m proud to serve as the Counseling Secretary. I love working with students and helping them navigate high school and life beyond it. When I’m not at work, I’m a busy mom of four amazing girls and you can usually find me spending weekends at AAU basketball tournaments cheering them on. Coming full circle back to Ballard has been a special journey and like the principal always used to say when I was a student here; “It’s always great to be a Beaver!”

In addition to the Ballard Counseling Team, Ballard has a new Social Worker; Elly Sprinkle MSW LSWAIC (they, them, theirs). Their office located in the Counseling Center offers a welcoming and safe space easily accessible for mental health support during the day. They offer professional guidance, navigating student life and situations and have resources connecting students and families to mental health services & other resources.

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Graduation Assistance Impacting the Needs of Students (GAINS)

The GAINS Program is a partnership between Ballard HS and the Ballard HS Foundation. The GAINS Program aims to help students who are most at risk by providing the support and motivation to help these students graduate on time and prepare for success in college and career.

• Graduation Success Coordinator (A-K): New! Welcome Amanda Jantz.
• Graduation Success Coordinator (L-Z): Dale Griffith has been a GAINS coordinator since 2018.

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Counseling Team Quick Links

Book an Appointment Counseling Team

Select a service and Counselor/Social Worker. Enter First & Last name, SPS email address (receive a confirmation email and link.)

Note: Students can book appointments via the Counselors Schoology as well. Be sure to use the drop down staff menu. Book an Appointment

Follow the BHS Counseling Instagram

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BHS Counseling: Crisis Services & Resources

• Crisis Text Line – Call 988 visit the 988 Lifeline website
• King County Crisis Line 206-461-3222 
• Trevor Project 1-866-4UTREVOR (488-7386) (specific toward LGBTQ youth) 
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 
• Teen Link 1-866-833-6546 or visit the Teen Link website
• Children’s Crisis Outreach Response Services (CCORS) through the Crisis Clinic 206-461-3222 
• Joon free therapy program 
• Safe Crossings Foundation
• The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Teens
• Washington state mental health referral service
• LEARN strategies for caregivers from the UW Forefront Suicide Prevention

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Career Connected Learning & Career & Technical Education

What is Career Connected Learning and CTE?

Career Connected Learning is a career awareness program for rising Seattle students to explore careers, meet a variety of industry professionals, and build an initial career and education plan. Business partners and students can become involved through service-learning projects, work experience, and internships.

Career Connected Learning

• a businessperson visiting a classroom to talk about what they do.
• a job shadow where a young person learns more about an occupation or business.
• an internship or a registered apprenticeship where youth are paid while they learn hands-on skills.

CCL Coordinators provide students with information on careers, post-secondary education opportunities, administer career assessment tools, plan on-site presentations, workshops, manage communication and organize career fairs. Refer to the district Regional Internship page for current opportunities. Learn more about internships and Work Based Learning on the district Career Connected Learning page.

Refer to the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Virtual Showcase to see what’s happening around Seattle Public Schools and the CTE Overview page too! Ballard HS Career Connected Learning Coordinator: Brent Martin, brmartin@seattleschools.org if you have any questions.

As of October 24, 2025