Leading with Heart: Impactful Lessons from Joe Sanfilippo

 Let’s be honest—leading in education right now is hard. Teaching is hard. Learning is hard. And if you’re in a leadership role, the weight of it all can feel overwhelming. That’s why listening to "Future Ready Schools'" Episode #3 – Finding Joy Each Day with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a superintendent who truly understands the human side of education, hit home in a big way. Discussing how to navigate through a global pandemic and times of uncertainty, Joe shows even though we may have moved on from the struggles of COVID-19, the lessons remain steadfast.

Joe’s approach to leadership? Connection first. Always.

The Challenge of Staying Connected

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation was how easy it is to focus on logistics—tech access, curriculum pacing, assessment scores—while missing the bigger picture: Do our students feel seen? Think about your responsibilities at school. What was the first thing you thought of? 

Joe spoke about the struggle of rural districts, where access to WiFi isn’t a given and the digital divide is real. But as much as technology is a tool, it’s not the answer. Human connection is. His district prioritized home visits, personal check-ins, and making sure no student felt forgotten.

As educators, we sometimes get caught up in the “big picture” of learning loss and standardized testing. But the truth is, none of that matters if students don’t feel like they belong. If they don’t feel safe, valued, and heard.

The Hidden Cost of Burnout

Joe also touched on something that too many teachers are feeling right now: burnout. The constant pressure to meet every need, to answer every email, to show up 110% every day—it’s exhausting. And if we’re not careful, we’ll lose the very people who make schools feel like home.

His solution? Trust. Trusting his teachers to do what they do best. Trusting that small moments of connection matter more than any “perfect” lesson plan. And maybe most importantly, trusting that it’s okay to not have all the answers.

Finding Joy in the Small Moments

One of my favorite parts of the conversation was hearing how Joe found his own sense of joy during a time of uncertainty—by reading bedtime stories to kids on Facebook Live. He didn’t do it for accolades. He didn’t do it because it was part of a grand strategy. He did it because it made people feel good.

And maybe that’s the real lesson here: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up, being present, and making people feel like they matter.

So, if you’re feeling the weight of it all right now, take a step back and ask yourself:

  • How am I building connection today?
  • Who in my school or classroom needs to hear, “You are doing a great job”?
  • Where can I find a little moment of joy?

Because at the end of the day, the best leaders aren’t the ones who know everything—they’re the ones who care the most.

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