A few weeks ago, I was sitting in my friend’s office and noticed this picture hanging from their bookshelf. I immediately asked if I could take a picture of it to share.
Oftentimes, we are so busy with work – with leadership, with teaching, with life – that we don’t allow ourselves to look up, take a breath, and see if there is a better way. Our view can be so myopic, that we’re unable to see great ideas even when they’re placed directly in front of us. I wonder how many of us have missed opportunities to grow and improve simply because we were too busy or unwilling to listen to someone who genuinely wanted to help us? I know I’ve been guilty of that throughout my career.
Now that we’re all back from Spring Break, there can be a temptation to put our heads down and sprint to the finish. I’d challenge you to keep your head up while sprinting. Continue looking for new and better ways to lead, teach, and serve others; you might just find something great as you close out the year.
“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 