Veteran educator Joey Hearl’s request to step down as principal at Mount Airy Middle School has been approved by Mount Airy Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregory Little.

Hearl has served as principal at Mount Airy Middle School for four years and was an assistant principal at Chestnut Grove Middle for two years. He taught high school business and marketing for a total of 10 years in Virginia as well as North Carolina.

According to Little, Hearl has expressed a desire to spend more time with his family and to return to the classroom. Little also indicated that an opportunity became available for Hearl to teach and so a move was made. Little said Hearl will be teaching personal finance at MAHS.

“I am grateful for the time he has put in at Mount Airy Middle School,” said Little.

In the interim, Assistant Superintendent Bryan Taylor will assume Hearl’s duties. Formal action on naming of a replacement could be discussed in closed session at the board’s meeting scheduled for tonight which is the board’s regularly scheduled work session.

Hearl thanked staff, students and parents at Mount Airy Middle for “their wonderful support over the last four years.

“I am looking forward to the next chapter in my career,” stated Hearl.