New principals announced at Northview Middle, East Elementary in Ankeny. Who they are:
The Ankeny Community School District announced a few new principals Wednesday.
In a news release, the district announced the appointments of JD Hunter as principal of Northview Middle School and Shane Mathis as principal of East Elementary. They will begin July 1.
JD Hunter appointed principal of Northview Middle School
Hunter is currently the associate principal at Ankeny Centennial High School, where he manages the programs for special education and English for speakers of other languages. He will succeed interim principal Carol Eddy, the district's director of curriculum and innovation.
Hunter has led the development of a multi-tiered system of supports approach for students' academic and behavioral needs and has served in the Ankeny district since 2014, including in roles as student services and building support specialist and teaching at Prairie Ridge Middle School and Southview Middle School.
Hunter has also coached 8th grade, junior varsity and varsity teams at Ankeny High School, Southview Middle School and Iowa City's Regina High School.
Hunter has a specialist in educational leadership degree from Drake University; a master's degree in teaching special education from Morningside College; a bachelor's degree in history from Coe College; and an associate's degree of liberal arts from Kirkwood Community College, according to the news release.
Shane Mathis appointed principal of East Elementary
Mathis is currently the special education co-coordinator and pre-K-6 principal for Louisville Public Schools in Louisville, Nebraska, near Omaha. He will succeed Andrew Burg, who was named principal at the upcoming Abbie Grove Elementary.
More: Hobby Lobby, new pickleball courts and Abbie Grove Elementary coming to Ankeny in 2024
Mathis has also taught fifth grade in Nebraska City, Nebraska – where he was named Otoe County teacher of the year – and third grade in Fort Collins, Colorado.
He has a master's degree in educational administration for pre-K-8 from Chadron State College and a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Peru State College.
Mathis is also a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the Nebraska Association of Special Education Administrators, according to the news release.
Chris Higgins covers the eastern and northern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New principals announced at Northview Middle, East Elementary in Ankeny
