This morning, I want to remind you of two powerful words and their definitions Well, at least, this is how I define them:
Grace: Giving someone something they do not deserve.
Mercy: Not giving someone something they do deserve.
As school leaders, much of our job often has to do with upholding policy and enforcing policy; however, these actions, if not tempered by both grace and mercy miss the mark of outstanding leadership. Great leaders are just, but they’re also gracious and merciful.
Remember, these tools are at your disposal as leaders. If you want the people you lead to use them, they need to see you using them, too.
Choose to be Great!
Angelo
Published by Angelo DelliSanti
“Education? You don’t want to do that with your life. You’ve got other plans.” That’s what Angelo DelliSanti’s high school counselor told him his senior year. And she was right—at first. Angelo had spent three years preparing to become a U.S. Navy officer. But an internship with a math teacher during his senior year changed everything. Helping struggling students master algebra sparked a passion for education that would shape his career.
Over the next 15 years, Angelo served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, returning to his alma mater to teach World History and later advancing to leadership roles. As a principal, Angelo implemented the Capturing Kids’ Hearts process, leading to remarkable academic gains, increased scholarships, record-breaking graduation rates, and improved school culture. These achievements earned him recognition as the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Principal of the Year in 2018.
In 2022, Angelo joined Capturing Kids’ Hearts as a Leadership Solutions Strategist where he is dedicated to working together with school leaders to create remarkable schools. He holds a Bachelor’s in History and Secondary Education from UNC Charlotte, where he was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. He also completed a Master’s in School Administration and completed all the required coursework for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from his alma mater, earning the Outstanding Student Philip Morris Educational Fellowship in 2017.
Angelo lives in North Carolina with his wife, Kasey, whom he married in 2008. Together, they enjoy escapes to the mountains and beaches. Angelo’s passions include golf, non-fiction books, cooking, and sharing meals filled with laughter and connection around the table.
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CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 