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Student Services

Meet the Counselors

Pearl Hellman photo
Pearl Hellmann
School Counselor/Secondary Social Worker
[email protected]
(724) 695-5233
 
Mrs. Hellmann holds a dual role in the middle school Student Services department as the secondary school social worker/home & school visitor, and school counselor.  As the secondary school social worker, she is the link between home, school, and community in providing direct and indirect services to students, families, and school personnel to promote students' academic, social, and emotional success.  She provides supportive counseling through short-term, solution-based strategies in individual and group formats, including crisis intervention, risk assessment, behavioral management, social skill development and emotional self-regulation.  Mrs. Hellmann also partners with students and families in identifying attendance concerns, and developing positive interventions to address their barriers to success.   
 
Mrs. Hellmann began her career at West Allegheny in 2002.  She earned her Master's of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh. 
Jeff Kiser Photo

Jeffrey Kiser
School Counselor
[email protected] 
(724) 695-5230

 

Mr. Kiser's role is to assist any students at the middle school with transition from elementary through to high school, referrals for counseling, career and vocational guidance, scheduling, crisis counseling, and liaison between parents and school. I serve on the SAP team, SLT team, and PBIS team. I sponsor Rachel’s Challenge, FOR Club, Big Brother/ Big Sister Program, Peer Mediators, and coach the National Academic League team.

25 years of experience.

Started at WA in 2000.

Prior experience in elementary and middle school in North Carolina.


B.A. in Psychology with Honors from the University of North Carolina

M.A. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina- Charlotte

 
Rectenwald photo
Melissa Rectenwald
School Counselor
[email protected]
(724) 695-5231
 

As part of the Student Services department at the middle school, Mrs. Rectenwald's role is to provide services such as personal/social, academic, and career counseling/education to all students.  These services are provided through interventions such as classroom instruction, small group, and individual sessions.  Other services provided include transition for students from elementary through high school, scheduling, crisis counseling, as well as serving as a liaison between parents and school.  She is also a sponsor for various programs, such as Big Brother/Big Sister, Rachel’s Challenge, FOR Club, and SAP Team.

Mrs. Rectenwald began her career at West Allegheny Middle School in 2007.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Slippery Rock University, along with a Master in Science Education degree in School Counseling from Duquesne University.