•  

    meet

    Bearden High School Counseling Department

       8352 Kingston Pike    Knoxville, TN 37919    Phone: 865-539-7800, option "1"                 

              Professional school counselors are certified/licensed professionals with a master's degree or higher in school counseling and are uniquely qualified to address the developmental needs of all students. Professional school counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program encouraging all students' academic, career and personal/social development and help all students in maximizing student achievement for all students. 

Phone: 865-539-7800, press "1" then "5" then "4"; in district ext 71330

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Sociology- Louisiana State University Master of Public Administration - Louisiana State University Master of Science in Counseling - University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Ms. Nicole Mullinax

Department Chair

Health & Human Sciences & Services (H2S2) Academy Counselor

I grew up in a military family and I moved around a LOT as a kid. I know exactly what it is like to be the new kid at school.  After high school, I lived in Louisiana until 2006, where I worked as a purchasing agent and a legislative auditor.  When I moved to Knoxville, I realized that I really wanted to work with people and not numbers.  I worked with at-risk children in the Knoxville community for 9 years.  During that time, I decided to go back to school to become a school counselor.  I have been at Bearden since my counseling internship in the Spring of 2016. I look forward to working with you! If you need to set up an appointment with me, please click Here. 

Phone: 865-539-7800, press "1" then "5" then "1"; in district ext 71328

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

B.S., Human Ecology & Family Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville M.Ed., School Counseling, Carson Newman University

Mrs. Leslie Wiles

Freshman Academy Counselor, Last Names A-K
 
I love working with young adults! I earned my Bachelor's degree in Family Studies from the University of Tennessee, and my Master of Education in School Counseling from Carson Newman College.  Prior to joining Secondary Education in 2007, I worked in the Juvenile Justice sector. I love helping teens see the importance of showing up in life and earning their education... just as it was shown to me. Life may change, but education will always remain!
I was born and raised in the Hardin Valley area.  My family pursued a variety of educational tracks (trade/technical training/college/university) and I enjoy exploring these with students. I remember my cousin was the first in my family to earn a Bachelor’s degree, and it was the first graduation I attended. I loved it!  I had a great school counselor who showed me that my family’s finances could qualify me for financial aid, which could be combined with my academic scholarships - this is how I went to college!  Otherwise, it would have been difficult for me to have the opportunity.

This is what I enjoy most about my job: through building relationships, I can help students reach their potential and see opportunities!  I learn something as well, as those relationships allow me to see them raise their own families, attend their weddings, and start new cycles of their own legacy.

Schedule an appointment with Mrs. Wiles 

 

Phone: 865-539-7800, press "1" then "5" then "3"; in district ext 71327

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BS Biochemistry, Maryville College MS School Counseling, Liberty University

Mrs. Jessica Floyd

Freshman Academy Counselor - Last Names L-Z
 
I became a school counselor because I love working with students to realize their potential as lifelong learners, and I am grateful for every opportunity to celebrate student success. I attended Maryville College where I earned a bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in biochemistry. I worked at Bearden High from 2017-2019 while I completed my masters in School Counseling at Liberty University. I enjoyed working as an elementary counselor for the last two years, and I am so happy to be returning to Bearden High. I look forward to working with the class of 2024!
 

Phone: 865-539-7800, press "1" then "6"; in district ext 71329

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BS, History, UTK MS, School Counseling, Liberty University

Mr. Brian Tanner

Business, Leadership & Communication (BLC) Academy Counselor

Coach Tanner is a Bulldog through and through!  After graduating Bearden High, Mr. Tanner earned a Bachelor's in History from UTK and a Masters in School Counseling at Liberty University.  A Bearden faculty member since 2007, Mr. Tanner has served in the classroom and coached football, baseball and track.  Additionally, Coach Tanner serves on the Bearden Foundation.  Fortunate for you, it is in his current role as a School Counselor where Coach Tanner enjoys supporting students the most. 

In his free time, Mr. Tanner enjoys running, golf, and attending Bearden sporting events.

Schedule an appointment with Mr. Tanner

 

Phone: (865) 539-7800, press "1" then "5" then "2"; in district ext 71426

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BS, Psychology/Child & Family, UTK MS, School Counseling, UTK

Mrs. Kathryn Parrott

STEM & The Arts (STEMA) Academy Counselor

I was born and raised in Knoxville and went to high school right here in West Knoxville! I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee in 2016. I eventually realized my passion for working with and helping children and adolescents, so I returned to graduate school and earned my Master’s Degree in counseling from the University of Tennessee in 2022. After spending my internship here at Bearden High School for the 2021-2022 school year, I am thrilled to join this counseling team full-time! Bearden High School is a truly special place, and I look forward to working with each and every one of you!

Let’s meet! Schedule an appointment with me here: https://calendly.com/kathryn-parrott/15min

Phone: 865 539-7800, press "1" then "5"; in district ext: 71324

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BA from UTK M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt Ed.S. in School Counseling from UTK Certified by the American School Counselors Association as a College Admissions Specialist

Mrs. Susan Bolinger

Director of College Counseling

Susan Bolinger is excited to be at Bearden High School to continue counseling students toward their next steps after high school.  Mrs. Bolinger earned her Bachelor's degree at The University of Tennessee and her Masters in Higher Education at Vanderbilt. Mrs. Bolinger also holds an EdS in School Counseling from UT.  She has worked in college admissions and college advising, in addition to recently working at Hilton Head Preparatory School and Farragut High School in college counseling. In school year 2019-20, Mrs. Bolinger joined the Bearden School Counseling team where she coordinates college admissions and scholarships in the College Counseling Office. 

Schedule an appointment with Ms. Bolinger

Phone: 865-539-7809-0 ext 71320

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Pam Canon

 
College & Career Center Assistant

Phone: 865-539-7800 ext 71325

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Ms. Katie Allen

School Social Worker

Phone: 865-539-7800 ext 71322

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Joanne Rubash

Registrar

Phone: 865-539-7800 ext 71321

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Becky Dickerson

School Counseling Secretary and Records Management