It’s Teacher Appreciation Week — a week where every campus seemingly abounds with everything from meals and massages to gift cards and goodies. As a Principal, it was one of my favorite weeks of the year because it was an opportunity to intentionally honor all the amazing work our teachers had done for kids.
I’m sure you’ve got a ton of stuff planned that will make your teachers smile this week, but I’d like to offer one more idea that builds on my message from last week:
Make it personal.
More than they need your gifts, teachers need your words. They need to know they matter. They need to feel seen. They need to be reminded that their presence and their actions are making a difference.
In Unreasonable Hospitality, one of my favorite lines was: “Words matter.” It’s simple, but it’s everything. It’s why one genuine affirmation from you might outlast a whole week of snacks. It’s why one sincere gesture of kindness might mean the difference between someone returning or leaving for another school next year.
I invite you to pause in the middle of this week’s madness and intentionally look someone in the eye. Say the thing you’ve been thinking but haven’t said yet.
Be generous with your gratitude.
Be unreasonable in your affirmation.
#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.
View all posts by Angelo DelliSanti
CHOOSE TO BE GREAT 