The Iowa Department of Education's Jan Kuhl is believed to be the first-ever Iowan to receive a national honor by the American School counselor Association (ASCA).

Jan, the school counseling and careers consultant for the department, has been named the National 2012 Director/Coordinator of the Year by ASCA. She was nominated by people she works with in the field.

"Many words come to mind to describe Jan's leadership in the field of counseling: collaborative, professional, innovative, visionary, supportive, determined, knowledgeable, caring and energetic only begin to describe the kind of person, leader, and mentor she is," co-wrote Clare Struck of the Price Lab School in Cedar Falls and Shelley Klaas from Armstrong Elementary in Bettendorf in a letter of support to Jan's nomination.

"We know firsthand what incredible leadership Jan has provided to ensure that Iowa's School Counselors are ready and able to support all Iowa students in becoming college, career, and citizen-ready."

ASCA works to support school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, personal, social and career development so they can achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society.