The associate principal at Parkview Middle School in Ankeny recently was hired to help lead Northview Middle School next school year as co-principal.

Bev Kuehn, the current associate principal at Parkview Middle School, will join Dan Meyer as co-principal of Northview on July 1, succeeding current principal Jill Urich, who recently was named the new head of the district's curriculum and instruction program.

"I greatly appreciate this opportunity, especially to be able to work with such an outstanding faculty and staff to further teaching and learning in Ankeny and help our students excel," Kuehn said in a release issued by the district.

Kuehn has been with the district since 1996, starting as a ninth grade science teacher. She joined the Parkview administrative team in 2002 as an assistant principal and was later promoted to associate principal.

Kuehn will become sole principal of Northview during the 2013-14 school year when Meyer becomes principal at Southview Middle School.

Kuehn began her career as a science teacher at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry from Marycrest College and a master’s degree in biology from Western Illinois University. Her administrative certification is from Iowa State University.

Last year, Kuehn was named Iowa Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year by School Administrators of Iowa.

Kuehn said over the next year, she plans to focus on incoming students and ensure they have an exceptional year of learning and growing as individuals.

"At the same time, we will prepare the elements that will be needed to help staff, students and families to make a smooth transition to two 8-9 middle school buildings the following school year," Kuehn said.

Superintendent Bruce Kimpston said Kuehn has demonstrated great leadership abilities the past 16 years.

"I am most impressed with Bev’s focus on student achievement and her belief that all students can learn at a high level," Kimpston said. "We are fortunate to have Bev become a principal in Ankeny."