Yesterday morning, I was reading a book that referenced a TED Talk, so I dropped the book, opened my laptop, and clicked over to TED. I couldn’t find the talk, but I began scrolling a bit and found myself looking at Sir Ken Robinson’s talks. I’ve listened to all of them and, if you haven’t, you should, too. They are as exceptional as they are enduring.
And, yet, I came across a short video that was tagged to his name that I haven’t seen before. “Imagine If…” was the title. When it opened, I learned that it was made in his honor using his own words on a topic that he held near to his heart and from which most of his work in Education flowed: Imagination.
So, I wonder – as you think about your schools, your students, your teachers, and your communities – how would you finish that sentence: “What if…”?
There’s a quarter left in the school year. What if you decide to make this the best quarter of your educational career?
“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 