(BALTIMORE, Md.) – Despite facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Notre Dame of Maryland University graduate was named the state’s Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).
Deana Giannelli M‘05 received the award for her work as assistant principal at Perry Hall Middle School, part of the Baltimore County Public Schools. She was invited to attend the national conference for the National Association of Secondary School Principals in Denver, Colorado in July 2021 and honored at the virtual MASSP Assistant Principals Conference in the spring.
“It is an honor to be recognized with this award from MASSP. I go to work every day knowing that parents are sending me their kids, so I need to do my best for them,” she said. “There are so many assistant principals that do the job that I do every day, working hard to impact students’ lives and to be an instructional leader. To be chosen out of many others is truly special.”
As assistant principal, she develops schedules for more than 1,900 students, coordinates registration with elementary schools, provides professional development for teachers, fosters community by creating family newsletters, and connects with families to discuss support for their children.
Giannelli began her career in education as a mathematics teacher more than 20 years ago. She previously served as math team leader and department chair in the Baltimore County school district. She has served as an assistant principal since 2008.
“Notre Dame really helped me to dive into what it means to be an instructional leader and to take the time to explore how I can look at data to effect change, make knowledgeable decisions, and look at all areas of the building to make myself an effective administrator," she said. “Having classes that were accessible to me while I was still working as a teacher allowed me to think about my career pathway once I finished my master’s degree and how I wanted to move toward being an administrator.”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
