Barcinas, a veteran, moves here from Spain
WEST POINT — Helen Balilo, the Department of Defense Education Activity community superintendent for New York and Virginia, has announced Angelo Barcinas as the new principal for the West Point Elementary School.
“Dr. Angelo Barcinas understands the challenges that military-connected children face,” said Balilo. “His insight — as a former student and an Army veteran — is invaluable to his work as an educational leader with us.”
Barcinas comes to West Point from Morón Air Base, Spain, where he has served as the assistant principal of Sevilla Elementary and Middle School. Prior to his assignment in Spain, he served the NSA Bahrain community at Bahrain Middle High School. Barcinas brings more than a decade of experience as both a classroom teacher and instructional leader from kindergarten to high school.
An Army veteran, Barcinas’ journey in education began in Guam as a middle school science teacher in the Guam Department of Education. He then transitioned to an alternative school that served at-risk middle and high school students. He served as a health, physical education and science teacher. He was an intricate member of the leadership team that promoted and increased student success.
Barcinas then deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 for Operation Enduring Freedom. Afterwards, he was inspired to support social change on the island. He became a school administrator and taught at the University of Guam as an adjunct professor of graduate students pursuing their master’s degree in education. In January 2018, Barcinas joined the DoDEA family.
“My wife and I have experience in the U.S. Armed Forces. We understand the challenges of deployments and relocations,” Barcinas said. “I feel extremely blessed to work side by side with my DoDEA colleagues who serve our military-connected students. As a dependent of a retired Army veteran and a former DoDEA student, it gives me much pride and honor to serve in this capacity.”
Barcinas earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Missouri Valley College, a master’s in teaching from the University of Guam, and his doctorate in educational leadership, policy and change from Walden University. As a lifelong learner, he believes education creates opportunities for students, and that positive impacts today lead to a prosperous future.
Barcinas is joined by his wife, Girlie, their four children and two dogs. They are looking forward to becoming members of the West Point school community.
