Dianna Anderson to be Park Avenue’s Next Principal

Park Avenue’s new principal: Dianna Anderson

Des Moines Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Dianna Anderson, currently the principal at Howe Elementary School, as the next principal of Park Avenue Elementary School.

She will succeed Wayne Knutson, who becomes the district’s Leadership and Development Coach. Knutson will work with new principals to foster and support professional growth and collaboration, best instructional practices and high student achievement.

“Dianna has dedicated her career to public education here in Des Moines, and has been a terrific educational leader at Howe Elementary for the past five years,” said Superintendent Tom Ahart. “I know she will be a great addition to the Park Avenue community.”

“I am looking forward to working with our students, staff and families to build on the progress at Park Avenue school, including our IB curriculum,” said Anderson.

Park Avenue Elementary School is located at 3141 SW 9th Street in Des Moines, and educates approximately 475 students in grades K-5. Park Avenue is also one of the first accredited International Baccalaureate World Schools in the state of Iowa.

Dianna Anderson’s entire educational career has been with Des Moines Public Schools, beginning as a substitute teacher in 1991. She has been at Howe Elementary School since 2006, serving as principal for the past five years. She has also been a dean at both Brubaker and Lovejoy elementary schools, and taught first and fourth grades at Lovejoy.

Anderson has a BS in elementary education from Iowa State University and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Viterbo University.