KellyAnn Susino DeSantis, an assistant principal at IS 72 on Staten Island, is grounded in strong family values and traditions shaped by her Italian heritage. Her upbringing has deeply influenced her work as an educator.
“From a very young age, I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandmother, who introduced me to poetry and plays,” she says.
Her grandmother, Ann Coletti, kindled a love of storytelling and poetry that eventually led her to become an English language arts teacher.
“She took me to plays like West Side Story,” DeSantis says.
DeSantis’ father, Salvatore Susino, immigrated from Pozzallo, Sicily, at age 9 and worked as a sales representative for Entenmann’s until his retirement. Her mother, Camille, took leave from her role as an administrative assistant to raise her three children and later became a school paraprofessional. Their example instilled in DeSantis a deep appreciation for balancing family life with a strong professional work ethic.
She recalls her Staten Island childhood fondly. Her maternal uncles, Alex and Roger, exposed her to unique experiences through their work at MTV and VH1.
“Every April, it was ‘Take Your Niece to Work Day,’” she says. “Thanks to them, I went to my first concert, my first Broadway play — Beauty and the Beast — and had countless opportunities to see music productions and celebrity interviews firsthand.”
Until high school, DeSantis was torn between careers in teaching and communications. Her love of writing ultimately guided her path. While participating in an Italian language and culture program, she had the opportunity to assist in a high school classroom.
“I loved it and wanted a career that would allow me to do meaningful work while raising a family,” she says.
At St. John’s University on Staten Island, she majored in adolescent education and English. Before beginning her student teaching, she studied abroad in Rome — an experience that had a lasting impact. She later returned to Rome for her honeymoon with her high school sweetheart, Anthony DeSantis.
Her student teaching experience brought an unexpected shift. Assigned to IS 75, Frank D. Paulo Intermediate School, she had originally planned to teach high school. Instead, she worked under Principal Mark Cannizzaro, now president of AFSA.
“He was very fair, consistent and calm, but he could always command a room,” she says. “I learned from him, and it turned out to be a great experience.”
On the same day Cannizzaro hired her as a full-time teacher at IS 75, he announced his departure to lead the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, AFSA, Local 1, where DeSantis remains a member today. Her subsequent principals, Ken Zapata and Jessica Jackson, became strong mentors, shaping her desire to pursue leadership through their examples of integrity, collaboration and commitment to supporting staff and students.
What began as a reluctant assignment teaching sixth- and seventh-grade English language arts quickly became a passion. She grew into the role and eventually became a model teacher.
After 10 years in the classroom, she was promoted to assistant principal at IS 72, a large and diverse Title I school.
“I was highly motivated to take on a leadership role and open to new challenges,” she says.
The school’s student body reflects a wide range of racial, cultural and linguistic diversity, including a significant population of English language learners.
“It’s often the case that I’m supporting staff and students through challenges I haven’t personally experienced,” she says. “In today’s world, many of our students are navigating circumstances that are truly unimaginable.”
She notes that students are also grappling with the complexities of social media.
“They’re exposed to situations that we simply didn’t experience growing up,” she says.
DeSantis credits the school’s leadership team for fostering a supportive environment.
“Fortunately, we have a strong team of five assistant principals,” she says. “At the core of everything, we have to ground ourselves in the understanding that we’re working with children — and that leading with empathy must always come first.”
She emphasizes that school serves as a safe and supportive space where students can access opportunities they might not otherwise have.
“We have lots of sports teams,” she says. “If we don’t have it, we make it.”
With the bulldog as the school mascot, many programs — including Bulldog Social Clubs — reflect that identity.
When considering the challenges of school leadership, DeSantis says prioritization is often the most difficult aspect, especially as responsibilities continue to expand.
“Often, we feel like we’re building the plane while we’re flying it,” she says. “It’s never dull.”
She adds, “As a school leader, I prioritize being fair and consistent, and I believe my staff recognizes that. I strive to be reflective, thoughtful and intentional in my work, with a clear sense of purpose guiding my decisions.”
Outside of school, DeSantis balances a busy family life as the mother of 8-year-old twins. She supports her daughter Annabella’s basketball team and her son Antonio’s baseball team, and she leads Annabella’s Girl Scout troop. Planning ahead is essential for any additional activities.
The family enjoys attending concerts and shows together, most recently an Ed Sheeran concert.
One day, she and her husband hope to return to Italy with their children, who are already aware of their Italian heritage.
For now, however, becoming a principal is not a priority.
“Never say never, I suppose,” she says, smiling.
