GRANADA- Granada-Huntley-East Chain (GHEC) Schools has hired Andy Walden, dean of students at Fairmont High School, to replace outgoing high school principal Taylor Topinka. Topinka has been hired as superintendent at United South Central School District.

Before becoming dean of students, Walden graduated from Mankato State University in 2008 with a major in secondary social studies education. After graduating he was a substitute teacher for two years in Mankato, New Ulm and Waseca. In 2010 he was hired as an alternative learning instructor for grades 7-12 in Waseca. After two and a half years in that position he became an 8th grade social studies in Waseca before moving to Fairmont in 2018. In Fairmont he spent one year as a sixth grade teacher, two years as a 7th grade teacher in the high school and two years as dean of students. In 2015 he received his master’s degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary’s University and in 2022 he received his education administration and principal license from St. Mary’s as well.

As dean of students, Walden provides administrative support for Fairmont’s building principals. His current responsibilities primarily involve ensuring students are meeting the high school’s academic standards and ensuring those who are falling behind have the proper support.

“I’ve always loved kids, helping kids, working with kids, it’s obviously great to develop those relationships,” said Walden.

Walden is married to Fairmont High School culinary teacher Jeanne Garbers, they live with their children in south Fairmont.

Walden said he’s long had the goal of becoming a high school principal and the opening at GHEC was an unexpected opportunity to do so.

“It was something I wanted to do, eventually become a principal. I didn’t realize it was going to happen so quickly,” said Walden.

While Walden has moved between jobs very frequently throughout his career, he said he hopes he can stay at GHEC permanently and eventually renew his three year contract with the district.

“My family is committed to the area, we don’t have any plans of going everywhere. I hope I can grow into the job, become a big part of the communities over there,” said Walden.

Walden’s contract in Fairmont will expire in June and he will formally begin working at GHEC the following month. GHEC is in the very early stages of planning his transition. Walden says his immediate goal will be to integrate himself into the school as quickly as possible.

“The biggest (goal) moving over to Granada is understanding what are their district goals, what are their school board goals, what are their initiatives (and) what are they are working towards,” said Walden.

He said he has yet to designate any other specific agenda during his first year, but noted he wants to ensure high levels of student achievement.

“Since I started in education one thing I’ve always valued was having high expectations for students, developing positive relationships with students (and) trying our best every day,” said Walden.

Fairmont Area Schools has yet to decide whether or not to hire a new dean of students to replace Walden at the high school.

“I know those are discussions that are going on right now and I think those decisions will be made in the next week or two,” said Walden.