Meet the School Counselors
Courteney Torres
Mrs. Courteney Torres is a dedicated school counselor with five years of experience supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. She holds a Master of Arts in School Counseling (K–12) and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from East Tennessee State University, as well as an Associate of Science in Social Work from Walters State Community College.
Mrs. Torres is passionate about providing love, care, and support to every student and family in the Amherst Elementary community. Her commitment to counseling stems from a heartfelt desire to help students grow into strong, confident individuals. She finds great joy in working with Amherst students, staff, families, and the broader community.
She is an active member of both the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Tennessee School Counseling Association (TSCA). Outside of school, Mrs. Torres enjoys traveling, spending quality time with friends and family, and embarking on new adventures with her husband.
Available to students Monday through Friday, Mrs. Torres looks forward to a wonderful 2025–2026 school year. She can be reached at (865) 560-7001 ext. 21436.
Brittany Pattillo
Mrs. Brittany Pattillo is an experienced and compassionate school counselor with more than a decade of service in Knox County Schools. She joins Amherst Elementary for the 2025–2026 school year as a part-time Professional School Counselor and is available to students on Thursdays. In her role, she supports students through individual and group counseling, family collaboration, and preventative guidance programs.
Mrs. Pattillo holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Counseling, a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, all from the University of Tennessee. She is also a member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
She is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming environment where every child feels supported, valued, and empowered to grow both emotionally and academically. She remains committed to helping students thrive and build strong foundations for success.
Outside of school, Mrs. Pattillo enjoys spending time with her husband and her two children. As a family, they love traveling, attending concerts, and cheering on their favorite baseball and cheer teams. She is excited to be part of the Amherst community and looks forward to a fantastic school year.
Mrs. Pattillo can be reached at (865) 560-7001 ext. 21436.