We all encounter mentors during our lives. Many times,
the lessons go far beyond work skills and everyday interactions. Mentors teach us how to negotiate through the difficult times in life. We connect
with them and internalize the lessons at a deep level. Dan Santarelli was one
of those very special mentors in my life.
I met Danny early in my career at the Career Technology
Center of Lackawanna County. He taught Auto Mechanics and had the “teacher’s
gift”. Danny had high expectations of his students and always pushed them to be
their personal best. Danny also was an instructor in the Dale Carnegie program
where he inspired the lives of many people. He would begin his Dale Carnegie
classes asking how everyone was doing. Receiving tepid feedback, he would lead
them to a frenzied response of “I’m fine and dandy and glad to be here”! His
zest for life was contagious.
Each morning before work, several of us would sit around
the table and have discussions, with Dan often leading those discussions. He had
natural interpersonal skills and served as a mentor to other teachers at CTC.
Danny was a true life-long learner and once said “to teach is to learn twice”.
He often spoke about how he learned important lessons from his students.
Danny and I had a real and formidable connection. He made me a better person. He stirred something good in people and people responded. Dan Santarelli promoted positive
change in people’s lives.
And that, my friends, is what mentorship is all about!
