Ankeny Principal's Award a Reflection of the Entire School District

Although it may be her name on the award, Assistant Principal Bev Kuehn remains humble about her new title.

Kuehn recently was named the 2011-12 Iowa Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year, an honor chosen by the School Administrators of Iowa. But to Kuehn, the award is a positive reflection of not only her talents, but of the as a whole.

“What this has provided is an opportunity to recognize all the great work happening collectively here in this school and in the district,” Kuehn said. “It captures the great things being done here by both the staff and students.”

When Sarah Bowers learned Kuehn won, she sent her a congratulatory email.

“I had no idea there was even an award for that – she’s totally deserving of it, though,” said Bowers, a modern language instructor at Parkview. “She pushes you to be a better teacher in a positive and supportive away, and I know I can go to her when I need her.”

There were many criteria considered for the honor. Kuehn needed to have a vision of learning and be a part of administering a safe, efficient and effective learning environment. She also needed to encourage the presence of a school culture and instructional program that is beneficial to both students and staff professional development.

But for those who work with Kuehn each day, the reasons she earned the award are simple.

“She deserves it,” said Trudy Egli, guidance counselor at Parkview. “She’s a high quality educator who I feel is humble in her work.”

Egli has worked with Kuehn for eight years. Egli said students trust Kuehn because she takes time to listen.

“She does a lot of work behind the scenes that people don’t realize she does,” Egli said. “I’m so glad she’s finally getting recognized for all these details.”

Mark McGaffin, a seventh-grade American history teacher at Parkview, said Kuehn leads by example.

“She’s very visible, kids see her out and about,” McGaffin said. “She has a good repertoire and she carries herself well.”

Kuehn began her career as a science educator at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids and at another school in Bettendorf. She came to Ankeny 15 years ago when she and her husband, Tony, were married and initially taught science at the former Northview Middle School before taking her current position at Parkview.

“Ankeny is just one of those places you want to be,” she said.

Kuehn wears many hats as assistant principal at Parkview. Perhaps one of her biggest roles, she said, is helping students grow both personally and academically. She also has many management duties and is responsible ensuring Parkview staff members continue growing professionally.

Doing her job effectively means finding a way to make all these roles fit together to accomplish a common goal, she said.

“The question is how do we put these all together to create the best outcomes for kids,” she said.

Kuehn said there’s no way she could do her job without the help of every Parkview staff member and teacher.

“We have such a phenomenal staff here,” she said. “It’s a constant process of learning.”

Kuehn will be recognized at a State Capitol ceremony in May 2012 and at SAI's awards banquet in August 2012.

As Iowa’s recipient, Kuehn is now a candidate for National Assistant Principal of the Year. She will have an opportunity to attend a recognition program next spring in Washington, D.C.