Meet Our Team
Caree Safsten
Director, ALA Ironwood K-6
Mrs. Caree Safsten is honored to serve as the Director of Ironwood Elementary. She has happily worked in education for over 25 years focusing most of her time as a teacher working with adults and children with various disabilities. Since joining the ALA family she has served as a special education teacher, special education site coordinator, and a campus administrator. Mrs. Safsten is an Arizona native, born and raised in Mesa. She and her husband, Mark are blessed with a “small tribe” of 10 children and 17 grandchildren who call her Gigi. She loves to spend time with her family traveling, cooking, and playing with their pups named Bella and Winston.
Mrs. Safsten passionately believes that learning can be messy and uncomfortable but within the struggle amazing things happen. She whole-heartedly believes that parents and educators work as a team to raise children to “Learn. Lead. Change the World!”
Emily Malfitano
Assistant Director, ALA Ironwood K-6
Mrs. Emily Malfitano is the Assistant Director at the Ironwood Elementary Campus for American Leadership Academy. She has been in the field of education for over 15 years. Prior to joining the Ironwood K-6 staff, Mrs. Malfitano was at ALA Anthem South K-6 teaching fourth grade. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. In Michigan, Mrs. Malfitano taught Kindergarten, first, and second grade. After moving to Arizona, she has enjoyed teaching fourth grade for the past 12 years.
Mrs. Malfitano has a passion for fostering environments that embody the RAISE values. Through leading by example, we can guide our students to become lifelong leaders. Mrs. Malfitano is proud to be a part of the ALA family and will lead IWE to achieve its mission, vision, and values.
Shari Bradley
Director, ALA Ironwood 7-12
Shari Bradley is excited to begin her tenure as the new Director of Ironwood 7–12. Over the past two years, she has had the privilege of serving as Assistant Director and, most recently, as Interim Director. Her deep passion for education has guided her through many meaningful opportunities to serve students, families, and educators.
She brings extensive experience as both an educator and an educational leader, having worked in university and K–12 settings across Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. She holds a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Utah State University. These experiences have shaped her commitment to fostering a learning environment where every student is supported and able to thrive.
Shari is dedicated to ensuring that Ironwood is not just a great school, but the best school in the area—a place where students feel safe and supported, teachers feel valued and empowered, and families feel confident in the education provided. She looks forward to partnering with staff, students, and the community as Ironwood continues to grow, improve, and achieve great things together.
Student Services
Students Last Name (A-L), 7-12
Grace Wood
Academic Advisor
gwood@alaschools.org
Students Last Name (M-Z), 7-12
Melissa Molina-Garcia
Assistant Director of Student Services
melissa.molinagarcia@alaschools.org
Now Enrolling for 2026-2027
Preschool through Grade 12 · Public Tuition-Free Charter School