Countryside Elementary School welcomes Principal Cynthia Maldonado

Edina Public Schools is pleased to announce the hiring of Cynthia Maldonado as the new principal of Countryside Elementary School. With an extensive teaching and administrative career all at the elementary level, Cynthia brings a wealth of expertise to the Countryside community and our district.

Her career began with Coachella Valley Unified School District in California where she served as a bilingual first grade teacher. She went on to serve as an elementary classroom teacher for 15 years at Park Spanish Immersion School in St. Louis Park, MN. Maldonado served as a Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) at La Academia in Chaska, MN. 

Maldonado has 9 ½ years of administrative experience. She is currently the principal of Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion School in St. Paul Park, MN. Prior to that, she served as principal at Stowe Elementary School in Duluth, MN where she relaunched the school’s focus on environmental education. She began her administrative career as an executive director of Vida Charter School in Gettysburg, PA. 

Maldonado completed her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Latin American Studies at the University of Minnesota, Morris. She earned her Master of Education from Hamline University. 

“We are thrilled for Ms. Maldonado to join Edina Public Schools. Cynthia’s rich administrative experience, coupled with her strong background as an immersion leader will ensure that the Countryside Community continues to thrive,” shared Superintendent Dr. Stacie Stanley. 

Maldonado will assume her role as the principal of Countryside Elementary School on July 1, 2024.