Kinney named assistant principal of Summit Middle School
By Lynn Meadows, JCSD Director of Communications
JOHNSTON, Ia. (June 24, 2025) — Robert Kinney has been selected as the new assistant principal of Summit Middle School for the 2025-2026 school year, following Monday night’s approval by the school board.
He will join the Summit leadership team on July 1. That team includes Principal Kaniesha Pettaway and Amy Eschliman, the current assistant principal who will become associate principal following Jerry Stratton’s retirement.
Kinney worked for the past 12 years as Student Services Coordinator in West Des Moines’ Walnut Creek Campus, the district’s alternative high school serving students grades 9-12. As part of that role, he coordinated the district’s summer school and night school. He’s also led behavior interventions, conflict mediations and student discipline, and led Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) meetings for struggling students.
He served on the West Des Moines district and building leadership teams for 12 years. Prior to that, he was a history teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs for 14 years. His experiences include piloting a 9th grade dropout prevention program, and serving as both a basketball and football coach.
“I’ve worked with a wide variety of students, ranging from Advanced Placement students seeking college credit to struggling learners who could be more successful in co-taught classrooms,” Kinney said. “This experience has given me a valuable perspective on the ways that teachers can structure their classrooms so that all learners can find a level of success.”
In his new role, Kinney will assist the principal in providing leadership and supervision of Summit Middle School, promoting the educational development and achievement of 6th and 7th grade students. The assistant principal position includes creating a positive and safe school environment, building relationships with at-risk students, and connecting with guardians to increase student success and progress toward graduation.
“Rob brings to Johnston extensive experience of being a secondary teacher and administrator for the past 26 years,” Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda said. “His past role on district and building leadership teams, coupled with his knowledge of working with students of all abilities, will enrich our leadership team at Summit Middle School.”
Kinney, from Waukee, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, where he majored in history teaching and minored in coaching. He received his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Doane College (now Doane University) in Nebraska, and his Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership from the University of Iowa.