By Ed Pierce
It’s said that the influence of an exceptional school leader remains a constant in our lives and for Danielle Donnini, Manchester School’s principal, that’s a fact.
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| Danielle Donnini has worked at Manchester School in Windham for 26 years and had led the staff as principal there since 2015. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
“The best thing I do is build positive, honest, collaborative relationships with our students, our staff and our families,” Donnini said. “I do love it when one of my old students shows back up as a parent and we can build upon that foundation. That's amazing.”
She grew up in northeast Pennsylvania in a coal and farming region and attended Penn State University, Luzerne County Community College, King's College, the University of Southern Maine, and the University of New England, earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Special Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
“When I moved after college from Colorado to Maine, I wanted to live and work near Portland because it's such a cool little city, so I applied for jobs all over and that's how I found RSU 14,” Donnini said.
She worked as a psychiatric technician in a hospital with a school program in Pennsylvania for five years and after moving to Maine, she became an educational technician in Saco and served as an alternative education teacher in Gardner. Donnini worked as a Special Education teacher and then assistant principal at Manchester School before leading the school as its principal.
According to Donnini, the challenges facing a school principal on a daily basis are plentiful.
“There are often too many competing initiatives, challenges, and needs, so staying true to the priorities that are closest to students and our strategic vision is important,” she said.
The biggest misconception people may have about her role as Manchester School principal is complex.
“Given the divisive climate in recent years, some people believe that our work is political, and that's not actually what we are about. Also, some people think that the principal’s role is disciplinarian, and that's not right either,” Donnini said. “In both cases these misconceptions could be reframed if our priorities were understood. Making our school a place where every child feels safe and learns the academic and social skills to be a happy and contributing member of their community is what we do.”
In working for the school for more than two decades, Donnini said there are so many moments she’ll take away from the experience, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one as being the most memorable for her.
“There isn't really one moment I can think of. There are a thousand sweet, sad, challenging, bright, and funny little moments I've shared with families, students, and our staff over these many years,” she said.
Her family is proud of the work she does as a school administrator and creating a welcoming atmosphere at Manchester School for student learning.
“They know I love the kids,” Donnini said. “I think my commitment shows my own nearly grown children that they can work hard and can aspire to take on challenging, important careers.”
One thing that Donnini wants the public to know is that educating children remains the foremost aspect of her work at Manchester School.
“I do think the public knows that children are our priority, always. A skilled and caring school staff is how we take care of that priority,” she said. “So, we should value all the members of our school community with the pay and benefits they deserve, and treat them with kindness and respect, always.”
Donnini said that the most important thing that she’s learned while working for Manchester School is simple.
“Culture is everything and everybody is responsible for it every day,” she said. <
“I do think the public knows that children are our priority, always. A skilled and caring school staff is how we take care of that priority,” she said. “So, we should value all the members of our school community with the pay and benefits they deserve, and treat them with kindness and respect, always.”
Donnini said that the most important thing that she’s learned while working for Manchester School is simple.
“Culture is everything and everybody is responsible for it every day,” she said. <
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