Counselors & Registrar

Mrs. Tonya Jesienouski (most students call her Mrs. J) has been working in schools and counseling centers for over 25 years. She joined the Lava Ridge family in 2015 after serving as the counselor at Coral Canyon Elementary, and she loves helping intermediate school students learn, grow, and succeed!

• Her Hobbies: When she isn't at school, she loves reading, watching movies, face painting, and working on fun DIY projects. She also loves to crochet!
• Travel Adventures: She loves to travel and explore new places! Some of her favorite trips include Hawaii, Japan, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize, and many states across the US.
• Fun Facts: She’s a total geek at heart! She loves superheroes (especially the MCU), anime, Star Wars, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. You might also notice she collects giraffes! Can you guess why?

Mrs. J knows that middle school can bring tricky times, but she firmly believes that hard times don't last forever. She knows every student has what it takes to rise up, find their strengths, and go after their dreams!

Her favorite motto to share with students is: "I love you, and I care about you!"

Credentials

• Master's Degree-Educational Psychology - University of Utah
• Bachelor's Degree - Psychology - Southern Utah University
• High School Diploma - Millard High School
• Educational Endorsements: College Career Readiness, Teacher Leadership, Technology

Mr. L-D, also known as Jared, is thrilled to continue his role as a school counselor, now in his fifth year at Lava Ridge Intermediate. Prior to his tenure here, he spent four years at Dixie High School and earlier, worked at Midvale Middle School in Salt Lake County. Mr. L-D is deeply passionate about his work and finds immense fulfillment in being part of the Lava Ridge community, where his primary focus is to ensure the happiness and success of every student.

In his personal life, Mr. L-D is happily married to a wonderful woman who, interestingly, attended Lava Ridge in the past. Together, they are raising three lively and delightful boys.

When he's not at school, Mr. L-D enjoys a variety of hobbies, including reading, playing video games, immersing himself in nature through hiking, and exploring new destinations through travel. He also values spending quality time with his family, nurturing his spirituality, and enjoying shows.

Among his favorite books are classics such as Les Miserables and East of Eden, as well as modern works like Sapiens and The Overstory. He also has a particular fondness for The Lord of the Rings series.

In terms of cuisine, Mr. L-D has a wide palate but especially loves pizza, lasagna, chile rellenos, and Thai food. When it comes to snacks, he indulges in chips, nuts, and donuts.

Mr. L-D is eagerly looking forward to getting to know each student and assisting them on their intermediate school journey. Parents and students alike are encouraged to reach out to him via email at gro.21khsaw@d-l.deraj. Students can also schedule appointments to see him in the counseling center or connect with him online through the school's website or Schoology.

• Master's Degree - University of Utah
• Bachelor's Degree - Southern Utah University
• Associate's Degree - Utah Tech University
• High School Diploma - Pine View High School

• Registrar