COUNCIL BLUFFS — Next year, Rob Lindquist will begin his career as an assistant principal at Abraham Lincoln High School, right here in Council Bluffs. 

“I am very happy for this new journey, and chapter in my life and career,” said Lindquist. “I am excited for me to be in the school my kids will eventually attend. I will always be proud to be a Jacket but I’m now proud to be a Lynx as well!”

Becoming an educator wasn’t his first choice of careers. After getting his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Iowa State University in 2005, Lindquist came to Council Bluffs shortly thereafter, and eventually began his teaching career in 2009. 

“But it was the best choice,” said Lindquist in the career move into education. “I have been a Yellow Jacket for the past 12 years. Thomas Jefferson High School has afforded me many opportunities and for that, I’m grateful. I’ve been a coach, an adviser, a committee member, and most importantly, a teacher. And that whole time, I’ve been a Jacket through and through.”

All 12 years of Lindquist’s education career have been at the same school. He started as a Freshmen Team English teacher and has taught almost all levels of English/Language Arts. He took over all of the journalism courses as full time journalism adviser in 2011, while still teaching some of the English courses. 

“I knew that journalism was eventually the job I wanted,” he said. “Fortunately for me, it came open when former journalism adviser Devin Schoening took another position.” Lindquist is only the fifth full time Journalism Adviser in almost 60 years. In the 1972-73 school year, Doug Muehlig took over as newspaper adviser and Julie Hughes took over the yearbook. Muehlig still coaches cross country and track for Thomas Jefferson to this day. 

“I’m glad I was able to follow in the adviser footsteps of Doug Muehlig, Julie Hughes, Deb Goodman, and Devin Schoening,” said Lindquist. “They have taught me so much about myself, and even a little about journalism,” he said jokingly. Schoeing, Muehlig and Goodman are still working in the district in differing capacities.

Lindquist will join an experienced group of administrators at Abraham Lincoln High School, and he can’t wait to get started this summer.

“This is an opportunity that I am ready to jump into. I’ll be able to learn from Bridgette Bellows, Samantha Ballard, and Jeff Novotny and there’s nothing more that a new administrator could want.”