The Grossmont Union High School District named Erin Burke of Granite Hills High School as its Counselor of the Year. The announcement came as GUHSD joined school districts across America in celebrating the efforts of all of its school counselors, whose work is essential to every GUHSD student reaching their full potential during National School Counseling Week Feb. 5-9. Burke spent her entire 18-year GUHSD career at Granite Hills. Before being promoted to her current position as school counselor, she served in a variety of counseling department support roles.
“Erin Burke is widely admired for developing caring connections with her students and helping them navigate their college and career paths by putting plans in place to cover a variety of possibilities,” said GUHSD Superintendent Mary Beth Kastan in a Feb. 9 press release. “She’s also been an outstanding leader for the Granite Hills community, having coordinated many different programs that help students succeed and enhance their educational experience.”
Burke coordinates the Granite Hills High School holiday adopt-a-family program and the “athletic signing day” which celebrates students who commit to continuing their athletic careers in college. Burke is also a CIF-championship varsity softball coach.
“Faculty and students alike know they can depend on Erin Burke,” stated Burke’s colleague and Granite Hills High School Counseling Department Chair Susan Lusk. “Her students seek her out for guidance and encouragement.”