Though it might sound like a cliché, fall seems to have flown by!
Some of you are already on break, but most of you have a few days with kids before time slows down for the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s my hope that you’ll soak in every second with the people you love.
I’d encourage you to take a moment this holiday to express your gratitude to the people in your life. Personally or professionally, this week, indeed this season, represents the best time of the year to intentionally affirm the people who bring so much joy to our own lives.
Who do you want to affirm this week? And even more importantly, who might need to hear words of affirmation from you? As you think about the “whos” in your life, here’s a quote about the importance of our words from John Maxwell:
A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential.
If you’ve decided to accept this challenge, remember that handwritten notes are better than emails, specificity is better than generalizations, and there’s nothing like delivering an encouraging word in person.
Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble ’til you wobble!
#ChooseToBeGreat
Angelo
P.S. If you made it this far…here’s a challenge/reward: Let me know how many people you intentionally affirm this week— whether in person or with a handwritten note (emails don’t count). The person with the highest total will receive a free copy of Unreasonable Hospitality, my favorite read of 2024. Cheers!
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.
View all posts by Angelo DelliSanti
CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 