Two Thursdays ago, I dropped in to say “Hello” to someone who’s become one of my dearest friends. There’s not an interaction I have with her that doesn’t make me want to grow and get better – as an educator, as a leader, and as a person. Given that, the answer she provided to a question I asked her that afternoon shouldn’t have been a surprise.
As we sat talking about all the great work that’s being done for kids, I began thinking about her future and the positive influence she could have on so many more people than she reaches right now. So, I asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Because I’m an Enneagram 3 — which might be the biggest difference between this person and me — I assumed all her answers would center around achievement. I thought she might name positions she aspires to or some measures of achievement she hoped to see. But her answer didn’t have to do with any of those things.
Instead, after briefly pausing to think, she took a deep breath and gave me her answer.
“Better.”
I can’t recall what I said in response, but she then went on to talk about all the ways “Better” made sense. She talked about her desire to grow and to see things change. She said she wasn’t sure what she might be doing, but that she sincerely hoped to be better.
Her answer has been on my mind ever since. We often spend so much time thinking about outcomes and milestones. Well, at least I do. But, maybe it’s not about any of that. Maybe the real pursuit of greatness is simply about being better than we were the day before. It’s not always clear where the road leads, but if we keep choosing “better” – even in the smallest ways – we’ll find ourselves becoming exactly who we’re meant to be.
#ChooseToBeGreat
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 