Learn about this new Malverne school AP

Howard T. Herber Middle School is welcoming a new member to the Mules family as Joseph Kuehn becomes the school’s new assistant principal.

“I would like to help continue to foster the environment of academic excellence that already exists,” Kuehn said. “Part of that is helping with the transition to 6th grade, and also adding to an already great school culture.”

Kuehn has more than 15 years of educational experience between four school districts — Oceanside, Lynbrook, East Williston, and Jericho — so he understands the best way to meet the individual needs of a school or student. Kuehn has taught everything from the humanities to math and science in his 9 years at Jericho Elementary School. His extensive experience with 6th graders has given him an appreciation of how important the middle school transition is.

The transition from middle school to high school can be difficult,” Kuehn said. “Therefore it's important that we make the best efforts to make that transition a positive and easy one.”

“When we’re successful in a positive transition, students are able to thrive and hit the ground running.”

But Kuehn’s experience isn’t only limited to sixth graders — his work ranges from elementary school to high school. His undergraduate and master's degrees, from SUNY Oneonta and Touro University respectively, are in teaching both math and literacy to grades 1 through 12, as well as educational leadership.

Between his education, his past two years spent as the principal of the Jericho summer program, and his past year balancing his teaching with an administrative internship at Jericho High School, Kuehn has the range and perspective that makes him perfect for middle school students.

“I feel like I have a great ability to build connections with the middle schools because of my experience,” he said. “I’m able to see where they’re coming from in elementary school — because I started teaching in elementary school — and then where they’re going in high school, as far as my internships and my experience as a summer program principal for middle school and high school students.”

His dedication to students and teachers doesn’t stop there. Kuehn also served as Jericho’s Diversity Day coordinator to honor and celebrate the mosaic of backgrounds that come together in one school community. He sat on the digital citizenship committee where he came up with ideas to help teachers educate students on how to leave a positive digital footprint for both now and the future. He was also part of the restorative practices committee which created social-emotional learning programs to help students learn more about each other and the faculty members to help foster the connections they all share. On top of that, Kuehn coached swimming, basketball, and lacrosse.

“All I’m hearing is positive and great things that are coming from the middle school, so I’m excited to add to that,” he said. “And I think that my experience coming from different districts will help in the culture of that school.

“After meeting so many members of the school community, I couldn’t be more excited to start this new position.”