It is with great excitement that I introduce myself to the Tilford Elementary school community. My name is Andrea Townsley, and I am honored to be your principal. I am thrilled to join such an amazing team of educators, staff, and students who are committed to academic excellence and personal growth for all students. I have seen this passion first hand over the last several years and I’m excited to continue to partner with this team.

I have served Vinton-Shellsburg Schools in a variety of capacities over the last several years. I student-taught and was a substitute teacher here over 20 years ago after attending the University of Northern Iowa. I started teaching just down the road as a fourth grade teacher. I then ventured into supporting adults as an instructional coach and professional learning leader. I have spent the last six years serving as a school improvement consultant where I have had the honor to support staff and students here at VSCSD. I have completed a masters degree in differentiation through Graceland University and a masters degree in school leadership through Dordt University. My family resides in Van Horne. My husband Eric is a district administrator at College Community Schools in Cedar Rapids. We have two very active children: Emma (18) and Kaiser (14).

As we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, I want to share with you my vision for our school. At its foundation, our school is a place where every student is valued and respected, where uniqueness is celebrated, and where all students have the opportunity to thrive in a caring environment. I am committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where all students feel safe, welcomed, and have a team of people supporting them to be their best. To achieve this vision, I believe in building strong relationships with families and the community. I recognize that families play a critical role in their child’s education, and I am committed to this partnership to ensure that every student has access to the resources and support they need to be successful. I encourage you to get involved in school activities, attend parent-teacher conferences, and communicate regularly with your child’s teacher. Together, we can create a successful environment which fosters a love of learning and prepares our students to be difference-makers in the future.

As we begin this journey together, I am committed to providing a high-quality, rigorous education that prepares our students for success in school and beyond. The Tilford Elementary staff is committed to providing engaging and challenging instruction that meets the needs of every student. We will continue to implement the best teaching strategies, integrate technology into the classroom, and provide opportunities for our students to explore their passions.

I am grateful for the relationships I’ve begun to build during my first year. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you and working together to provide the best possible education for our students. Thank you for entrusting your child’s education to us, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together.