After undergoing an extensive national search, the school board has appointed Dr. Linda Beyea as the new superintendent of the Ames Community School District. Beyea is originally from Marshalltown, Iowa, where she graduated from high school as valedictorian of her class. She then received a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Penn College and a Master of Arts degree from The University of Iowa. In New Jersey, Beyea earned supervisor and principal certification in educational leadership. She also received her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University in 2005. She has had the opportunity to receive many awards for her work, including being selected a New Jersey Star School of Excellence, having a school ranked a National Blue Ribbon School, and having a school in Redbook’s “America’s Best Schools.”