Listening, Celebrating, and Leading with SWAG with Dominic Armano

Published: July 2, 2023, 9 a.m.

Today’s guest is Domonic Armano. He is a proud educator, an innovative principal a speaker, author, and most importantly a loving husband and father. Over the course of his career, Dominic has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal and currently he is serving as an elementary school principal. In all of these roles, he has made it his priority to promote a positive culture for students, staff, and the community.

Topics Covered:
1. In order for students to get the most out of their education they need to have a genuine love for school.

2. If you love what you do and you love where you’re going it makes it easier and the learning happens. 

3. Create a map of what is happening at your school (Social Emotional Learning, Whole Child, Academic, Guaranteeing Student Success (Community))

4. Make sure every person is in the building is part of the building and has a voice and a say. 

5. Focus on the fun parts of school and that can make the academics get stronger.

6. People felt valued and when you feel valued you do better at what you do. 

7. Be authentic and real.

8. Focus on who you are (school) and what we’re about.

9. Share expectations of each other.

10. Work together as a team. “We are one.” 

11. Let others know that you are there for them. 

12. Take time to acknowledge everyone. Celebrate the school community. 

13. Go above and beyond for the school community. 

14. You don’t necessarily see the difference that you make on the day in and day out. 

15. Take a step back and look at the difference that you make. It’s right there under our noses and often we don’t see it or we’re not trained to see it.

16. Create a place that you would want to go to. 

17.  Really talk to people with the purpose of really listening to them. 

18. Think about what you do well and what you want to improve upon.

19. Create a monthly fun week! 

20. Family Friday’s - find ways to connect families to the school. 

21. Book Recommendation - Road to Awesome by Darrin Peppard, Staying Grounded by Mike Hines

22. You have to take care of yourself.

23. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

Social Media:
Twitter: @DominicArmano
Instagram:@dominicarmano

Domonic's Bio:
Dominic has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and graduate degrees in both special education and school district leadership. Through his years in education, Dominic has become passionate about social-emotional learning and has developed programs that encourage education through a whole child approach. This pathway strengthens the core of instruction and helps to build a community of eager, enthusiastic, and passionate learners.  

In addition to his work as an educator, Dominic is a motivational speaker and blogger. He is the President of the Education Chapter of the Dowling College Alumni Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education, and he is a member of the New York City Elementary School Principals Association.

He has previously served with the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying as both a member of the Board of Trustees and as the Chair of the Education Committee.

Dominic has been featured on several podcasts and in articles about school leadership. At his core, he is nothing more than a devoted Yankees fan who loves spending time with his family and closest friends.

Back to School Virtual Bash Registration:
https://rechargedfamily.podia.com/recharged-family-back-to-school-virtual-bash-over-50-workshops