Meet Your Counselor
Ellisa Beamish - Counselor ebeamish@srcs.k12.ca.us
Mrs. Beamish has been a part of the Carrillo Counseling team since August 2020. Prior to coming to Carrillo, Mrs. Beamish was a counselor at Analy High School and at Ironwood Ridge High School in Tucson, Arizona. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles and her graduate degree in Counseling and Mental Health from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Prior to becoming a school counselor, Mrs. Beamish was a television news producer for eight years.
In her free time, Mrs. Beamish enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, her crazy cat Mays, cheering on the University of Arizona Wildcats and Minnesota Vikings, hiking, reading, and exploring the Bay Area with her family!
Student Caseload: Student Last Names Ro-Z
Veronica Cordero - Counselor vcordero@srcs.k12.ca.us
This is Ms. Cordero’s third year as a School Counselor at Maria Carrillo High School. She has been with the Santa Rosa City School District for several years at the middle school level. She has previously worked for Sonoma Country Day School and Sonoma State’s Extended Education in the EXCEL program. She graduated from Sonoma State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is currently finishing up her final year of graduate school at the University of San Francisco towards a Master’s Degree in School Counseling.
Ms. Cordero enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and crafting at home.
Student Caseload: Student Last Names P-Ri
Lauren Davis - Counselor ldavis@srcs.k12.ca.us
Mrs. Davis started at MCHS in 2023. She worked for the prior five years as a high school counselor in Santa Barbara. Ms. Davis obtained her Masters degree in Counseling from Sonoma State and fell in love with Sonoma County at that time. She obtained her Undergraduate degree in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara.
In addition to her love for the excitement and enthusiasm that occurs on a high school campus, Mrs. Davis enjoys running, hiking, being creative and is a passionate lover of animals.
Student Caseload: Student Last Names A-De
Jennifer Green - Counselor jlgreen@srcs.k12.ca.us
Ms. Green started at MCHS in 2022.
She has served as a counselor and life coach for many years with non profits and maintains a private practice. She has enjoyed this work, since she was in high school where she was a peer counselor and elementary school mentor. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Master's degree in Counseling from Sonoma State University after relocating from Southern California.
She enjoys an active life which includes weight lifting, hiking, yoga, foraging, swimming, softball, bodyboarding, surfing, and is now trying her hand at skateboarding.
Student Caseload: Student Last Names Di-Ho
Chris Nicolaou - Counselor cnicolaou@srcs.k12.ca.us
Hello everyone! I grew up in Lodi, but quickly fell in love with Sonoma County when I moved here two years ago. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Sacramento State University and my graduate degree in Counseling at Sonoma State University. I previously worked as a crisis counselor for the California Youth Crisis Line during the pandemic. On the weekends I help facilitate group counseling at San Quentin State Prison as part of the KID C.A.T. (creating awareness together) program. When I am not working, I enjoy being out in nature and am always looking for new hiking trails. I also love being in the kitchen and finding new recipes to add to my repertoire. I recently enrolled in a kickboxing class and my goal this year is to prioritize my fitness and health.
Student Caseload: Student Last Names L-O
Sara Legesse - Counselor slegesse@srcs.k12.ca.us
Hello! I’m Ms. Legesse, and I’m excited to be part of the Maria Carrillo counseling team. This is my first year here at Maria Carrillo, and my third year as a counselor in the Santa Rosa City School District.
As a Santa Rosa native, I started my college journey at SRJC before transferring to UC Davis to complete my undergraduate degree. I then went on to UCLA for my first master’s, followed by San Francisco State University, where I earned a master’s in counseling.
In my free time, I enjoy painting, reading, spending time with my large family, and traveling whenever I can. I look forward to connecting with students and helping them thrive both academically and personally!
Student Caseload: Student Last Names Hs-K
Kim Handel - College and Career Counselor khandel@srcs.k12.ca.us
Ms. Handel started at MCHS in 2018
Ms. Handel received her BA in History from UC Irvine and her MA in Counseling from San Francisco State University. She worked as a school counselor in Oakland for four years before coming to MCHS. She's happy to be back in Santa Rosa, where she grew up, and is looking forward to supporting students with their college and career goals.
If you would like to make an appointment to speak with your counselor, please call the counseling secretary at 707-890-3820 or email the counselor directly.