Meet the Principal

Andrea Safina, Principal

GARTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal Andrea Safina is the principal at Garton Elementary where she has been the school leader since 2021.

Safina started working for DMPS two decades ago in Special Education at Adams Elementary School, which later merged with Garton. She served as a literacy leader and dean over the next several years at Monroe, Greenwood, River Woods, and Carver elementary schools. She accepted the role of principal at Greenwood Elementary in 2017. Safina served on the district literacy task force and the elementary Return to Learn planning team.

Safina earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy Education, both from the University of Northern Iowa. She also has an advanced certificate in both PK-12 Principal Leadership and Special Education.