New to the Cardozo High School family this year is an ambitious leader who uses his qualities and aspiring traits to inspire and encourage students and staff this year: Mr. Vanella, the interim Assistant Principal of Mathematics.
Mr. Vanella may be known as the new AP of Mathematics, but his aspiring journey to Cardozo holds more meaning than just becoming an AP. His experiences have shown and taught him his aspiring qualities, such as perseverance, courage, and resiliency; all of which lead to his passion for education.
Mr. Vanella has lived a very profound life before discovering his passion for education. He has been both a collegiate and professional football player and served as a combat veteran in Afghanistan. The moment he realized his life-changing dream for education was during his deployment in Afghanistan in 2013. Many of the soldiers who were with him at the time didn’t have the greatest opportunities due to low test scores, which limited their chances for better positions in life. This resulted in these soldiers being placed in high-risk positions during their deployment.
When Mr. Vanella and the soldiers had spare time, he would tutor them in subjects such as English and Math. Finally, when their deployment was over, those soldiers could rest and had the opportunity to attain safer positions.
“To me, and from my experience even before the Army, your education could literally be life or death,” he said.
When Mr. Vanella realized the profound impact he had on those soldiers, it inspired him to transition from the military to a career in education. Over the past 10 years, Mr. Vanella has taught math and coached varsity football, showcasing his immense dedication and hard work.
Now that he has been selected as an Assistant Principal, he sees his role as a chance to profoundly inspire the Cardozo community by instilling a sense of courage in everyone. “Being an educational administrator will allow me to inspire teachers who inspire students who will inspire the community around them,” he explained.
Mr. Vanella’s experiences have led him to conclude that no one ever feels “fully prepared” for leadership. Although preparing for leadership is challenging, he appreciates how the Army and athletics, especially football, taught him vital qualities such as adaptability, perseverance, and accountability. His advice to those around him is to be “tough on results and tender on people,” and to remain self-aware of where you came from in order to fully acknowledge the growth and strength you’ve developed.
A life lesson he has learned throughout his journey is to always be honest, as honesty is key to success. “Too often, we are afraid to admit we don’t know something for fear of looking incompetent. It is actually the opposite… just say you don’t know, but promise to get the answer and always follow up,” Vanella said.
His mission in coming to Cardozo is not just about the job, it’s about building a community and inspiring others. He currently resides in Bayside and expresses deep gratitude for the area and community. He describes the school’s energy and spirit as “palpable,” comparing it to the Army’s “esprit de corps.” Whether it’s academics, athletics, clubs, or the JROTC program, he sees Cardozo as a school that offers students “everything they could want.”
Looking toward the future, Mr. Vanella has goals that focus not only on student achievement but also on teacher morale.
“My biggest goal is not to just increase student performance, I want to supplement and augment teachers’ happiness and morale. I believe there is a direct correlation,” he said. He believes the greatest support he can offer, not only to the math department but to the entire school, is to actively listen to others, value their voices, and lead through involvement, traits that reflect his courageous and inspiring character.
What excites Vanella most about working in schools is simple: the students. “Students are funny, energetic, creative, and have yet to be tainted by this whole adulting thing. Seeing a student grow socially, emotionally, academically, and even athletically; that is the most enjoyable,” he said.
When asked for a simple but inspiring piece of advice, he stated, “Be where your feet are! Stay present, make memories, and enjoy these moments. Time is fleeting, and if you don’t remind yourself to be mindful of the present, you may miss out on great experiences.”
