Warm Wishes and Holiday Wisdom (CtbG Y3:E15)

~ Angelo DelliSanti

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

There are many reasons why I love the holidays. There’s nothing like the time we get to spend with the people we love during this season of the year. For a few brief nights, we’re all gathered together, huddled under one roof in the warmth of our home. Even if nothing else happened, this alone would be reason enough to celebrate the season. But, that’s not it. Along with it, we get the gift of time with our friends, all the deliciousness of holiday meals, and the thoughtfulness of our relationships made manifest in the gifts we choose to give and are fortunate enough to receive.

Beyond these gatherings, I simply love how we behave during the holidays. There’s no denying the sense of cheer that fills the air. Everyone seems friendlier, from the cashier at the grocery store to the strangers we pass on the street. We say things like, “Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” and “Happy Hanukkah” to honor our beliefs and to celebrate the beliefs of others. But, just as much, I think, we say these things to pass along the spirit of love and joy that bring life to our traditions. The evidence for this can be found in the responses we receive when we offer them. There’s a glimmer in their eyes, a hope in their voices, and a light on their faces. There’s no denying it, there’s just something magical about the holidays.

To my friends in school – I would like to extend my warmest wishes for joy, peace, and love to find you and your family as you close out the semester.

I would also offer a couple more thoughts: All the holiday warmth I just wrote about won’t be present in the homes of all your students. For some of them, the place where they experience the most love and joy – your schools – is the one place they won’t be during the holidays, and they will long for its end so they can return to your safe, loving, and accepting hallways. Remember this as you close out this semester and, where appropriate, encourage them with the reminder that you will be there upon their return in the new year.

Secondly, as I think back on my time as a Principal – I certainly wish that I would have encouraged the joy of holiday celebrations more amongst my teachers and students. Instead, I expected them to stay strictly focused on curriculum and instruction. I thought we couldn’t hold the standard of instructional excellence if we were busy playing games and eating sweets. Now, I find myself wondering: “What good is instructional excellence if we lose our sense of humanity?” My guess is there’s a way to honor them both. We can uphold high standards and celebrate the joy of the season.

#ChoostToBeGreat

Angelo

PS – The pup you see in the photo above is the newest addition to our family. His name is Graham and some of my friends demanded that he be included in this post. Maybe a few more, too. 🙂

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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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