The one who made all the difference …

Produced & edited by Brian Diggs; cinematography by Anne Bannister & Brian Diggs

Our Voices on Teaching series features diverse perspectives about the importance of the teaching profession and personal stories about teachers who helped give rise to the future.


During our 2022 Leadership Symposium, we had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our keynote speakers, Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, to talk about the teacher who made all the difference in his life.

“You just have to have those people that are willing to say something.”

Teachers have the power to change the trajectory of a student’s life.

One simple act of encouragement from his teacher inspired Dr. Joe Sanfelippo to pursue a career in education and to eventually become the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, Wisconsin and author of Hacking Leadership.

He reminds us of the importance of building up the people around us so together we can all become our best selves.