Jennifer Pursh - Mrs. Pursh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters of Education with a certification in School Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. She has over nine years’ of school counseling experience. In the spring of 2015, Mrs Pursh filled a substitute position at the Upper Elementary and was hired full time by the district to work at South Primary and East Primary as the K-4 School Counselor. She has also worked as a School Counselor in the McKeesport Area, Penn Hills and Gateway School Districts. Additionally, she is an active member of WSCA, PSCA and ASCA. Currently, she serves as the Westmoreland County School Counselor Association’s President. 

In addition to her work, Mrs. Pursh enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage daughters. As a family, they love to travel and will often take spontaneous weekend trips in the summer. 

Lindsay Smith- Ms. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters of Education with a certificate in School Counseling from Duquesne University.  Ms. Smith began her career as an elementary school counselor with the Penn Hills School District.  Since 2008, she has worked at KASD as a K-6 counselor, a counselor at KAUE, and is now beginning her fourth school year as a counselor at the high school.  Within the district, Ms. Smith is the Counseling Department Head, and the high school Student Council Advisor.  Professionally, she is a member of WSCA, PSCA, and ASCA.  Currently she serves school counselors at the county level as the Vice President of WSCA, and at the state level as as the PSCA’s School Counselor Recognitions Chair.  Ms. Smith resides in Sarver with her two sons, Lukas and Levi.  

Tara Taliani - After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology and General Science from Penn State University, Mrs. Taliani began her career at Kiski Area in 2001 as a member of the high school science department.   For thirteen years, she taught various science courses at the high school including, Academic Physical Science, Honors Biology, Applied Biochemistry 1, Earth & Space Science, & Principles of Technology.  In 2015, she took on her current position as one of the High School Counselors after earning her Master’s degree in Secondary School Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  

Beyond teaching and counseling Mrs. Taliani coached Cheerleading at Kiski Area and worked with students in the district’s Alternative Education Program.  

Mrs. Taliani resides in New Kensington with her husband Marco, and her sons, Dante and Dimitri.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and watching her boys play their various sports.

Jefrie Funtal -

Lisa Williams- Mrs. Williams, a Kiski Area alumni, began her career here in 2008 as a substitute administrative assistant.  After being hired full time by the district, Mrs. Williams has worked in the business office, South Primary, East Primary, and Upper Elementary.  She has been serving as the administrative assistant in the high school counseling center since 2017.  

Mrs. Williams resides in Parks Township with her husband Jeff, also a Kiski Area employee.  Their oldest son, Scott, resides in Florida with his wife Jennifer, and sons Lucas and Jonathan; youngest son, Corey, resides in Washington Township with his wife, Lindsay. Outside of work, Mrs. Williams loves spending time with her family and friends, visiting or facetiming with her grandsons, riding motorcycles, reading, hiking, and traveling.