Meet the School Counselors
Katie York
Mrs. Katie York is Amherst Elementary’s full-time school counselor. She brings experience in both school and mental health counseling and is available to students Monday through Friday.
Originally from Ohio, Mrs. York earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University. After moving to Tennessee, she completed additional graduate work at Johnson University. She began her career in private-practice mental health counseling and most recently served as a junior high school counselor.
Outside of school, Mrs. York enjoys spending time with her husband, Brayden, and their two children, Miles and Ivy. She also enjoys being outdoors, playing games, and reading.
Mrs. York is grateful for the warm welcome she has received at Amherst and is excited to be part of the school community. She especially enjoys getting to know students and collaborating with the teachers and staff who work with them each day.
Mrs. York looks forward to a wonderful 2026-2027 school year. She can be reached at (865) 560-7001 ext. 21436.
Kara Petrowski
Mrs. Kara Petrowski is a part-time school counselor at Amherst Elementary with more than a decade of experience in Knox County Schools. She is available to students on Mondays and Thursdays.
With experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, Mrs. Petrowski has served students across a variety of school settings. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in school counseling, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Most recently, she served at Mill Creek Elementary and previously worked at Blue Grass Elementary. Earlier in her career, she worked as a school counselor at various secondary schools in Knox and Loudon counties. She also spent 10 years at home raising her four children before returning to school counseling.
At Amherst, Mrs. Petrowski is excited to work alongside the administration and counseling team to support students, staff, and families. She is grateful for the warm welcome she has received and is honored to be a part of the Amherst community.
Mrs. Petrowski can be reached at (865) 560-7001 ext. 21436.