Jennifer Peatross: Counselor
Ever since graduating high school, Jennifer Peatross knew she wanted to work in the school system.
“I kind of have always known I wanted to be a counselor,” Peatrsoss says. “I didn’t want to be confined to a classroom, so counselor just fell into place and fit with my personality.”
As a counselor, Peatross isn’t able to predict what her day is going to look like, and is faced with new challenges and incidents daily.
“My favorite part about working with students is that it never gets boring. There’s something new every day and it keeps me on my toes,” Peatross said.
Peatross got her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Central Michigan University and her Master’s in Counseling from Spring Arbor University.
She has been working in schools for 10 years-longer if you count her time as a softball and basketball coach. One of the schools she has previously worked at was MacDonald Middle School (MMS).
“I’m excited to be at ELHS,” Peatross said. “I was at MMS for a couple years, so I’m looking forward to seeing my old students and meeting all the new ones.”

Dorcas Shumake: Dean of Student Success
The reason that Dorcas Shumake wanted to be the Dean of Student Success is to help students the same way staff at her school were able to help her.
“High school is such a critical part of a young person’s life. It was in high school that someone swooped in and helped me become confident enough to face the journey of life head on,” Shumake said. “I hope to do that for as many young people as I can. This is my way of paying it forward.”
Shumake will be the first Dean of Student Success at ELHS starting this fall.
As the Dean of Student Success, Shumake will help support students, address student behavior, and manage disruptions throughout the school.
“I will be responsible for making sure students are getting the support they need in order to be successful, in and out of the classroom,” Shumake said.
In 2003 Shumake got her Bachelor’s in English and plans to get her Master’s in Communication Disorders, Trauma and Resiliency in 2024.
She has been working at high schools for 20 years and was previously working at the Lansing Learning Hub as a Community Engagement Specialist.
Shumake used to work at middle schools, but switched to high schools when she realized “middle schoolers are soul snatchers.”
Shumake is excited for the school year to start and meet all her new students.
“I can’t wait to meet all of the wonderful students that go here! This is going to be an amazing year,” Shumake said.

Khatrina: Physical Education Teacher
If you plan on taking PE this year, there is a good chance that Khatrina Brazee will be your teacher.
As a PE teacher Brazee is able to teach what she loves.
“What inspired me to become a PE teacher was my love for sports and physical activity,” Brazee said.
In college, Brazee got her Bachelor’s in K-12 PE and a Bachelor’s in Health Education for 6-12 from Central Michigan University in 2005.
Brazee has taught high school PE for seven years. She was previously the PE teacher at a middle school in Grand Ledge.
Brazee will be replacing Terri Cregg, who took a position as a Health Professions Advisor at Hope College after last school year.
The reason Brazee wanted to come to ELHS was because of the community and atmosphere that has been created here.
“I love the community and what it stands for with diversity and inclusion,” Brazee said.