Greenwood Elementary School Welcomes New Principal

Greenwood Elementary School’s new principal Andrea Safina.

Greenwood Elementary School welcomes a new principal beginning this summer as Andrea Safina will take over as the school’s educational leader.

Safina has spent more than a decade with Des Moines Public Schools as a special education teacher, reading instructor, instructional coach, and dean. She spent the 2011-12 school year at Greenwood, and since then has been the dean at Carver Elementary School.

“I am very excited to return to Greenwood, a school that has served Des Moines’ students for more than a century, to continue its work of providing a great education,” said Safina. “I am looking forward to working with our teachers, staff and parents to support the needs of all of our students.”

“Andrea Safina is committed to Des Moines Public Schools and brings a diverse set of experiences that make her uniquely qualified and a great fit for Greenwood,” added Susan Tallman, executive director of elementary schools for Des Moines Public Schools.

Safina earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, along with an advanced certificate in both PK-12 principal leadership and special education.

Safina replaces Eric Huinker, who served Greenwood for the past seven years and is moving on to a new position at DMPS.