I Can’t Breathe: The Tale of Deanna Stellato-Dudek

Deanna Stellato-Dudek is a former teacher and administrator who has dedicated her life to improving the lives of students and making schools more inclusive and equitable.
I first met Deanna Stellato-Dudek in 2016 when she was serving as the principal of a high school in suburban Chicago. I was immediately impressed by her passion for her students and her commitment to creating a school where all students felt welcome and supported.
Deanna’s story is one of triumph over adversity. She grew up in a working-class family in a small town in Pennsylvania. She was the first person in her family to go to college, and she did so while working full-time to help support her family.
After graduating from college, Deanna began her teaching career in a low-income school district. She quickly realized that many of her students were facing challenges that made it difficult for them to succeed in school. She saw students who were homeless, hungry, and traumatized. She saw students who were struggling with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Deanna was determined to find a way to help her students succeed. She began to research trauma-informed teaching and restorative practices. She also started to advocate for policies that would make schools more equitable and inclusive.
In 2016, Deanna was named the principal of her high school. She immediately began to implement the changes she had been advocating for. She created a trauma-informed school environment, and she implemented restorative practices to help students resolve conflicts peacefully. She also worked to increase the diversity of the school staff and curriculum.
As a result of Deanna’s leadership, her school has become a model for other schools across the country. Her students are now more successful academically and социально, and they feel more connected to their school and their community.
Deanna is a true inspiration to me and to countless other educators. She is a tireless advocate for children, and she is always looking for ways to make schools better. I am grateful for her leadership and for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people.

Deanna’s Story in Her Own Words

“I grew up in a working-class family in a small town in Pennsylvania. I was the first person in my family to go to college, and I did so while working full-time to help support my family.
“After graduating from college, I began my teaching career in a low-income school district. I quickly realized that many of my students were facing challenges that made it difficult for them to succeed in school. I saw students who were homeless, hungry, and traumatized. I saw students who were struggling with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
“I was determined to find a way to help my students succeed. I began to research trauma-informed teaching and restorative practices. I also started to advocate for policies that would make schools more equitable and inclusive.
“In 2016, I was named the principal of my high school. I immediately began to implement the changes I had been advocating for. I created a trauma-informed school environment, and I implemented restorative practices to help students resolve conflicts peacefully. I also worked to increase the diversity of the school staff and curriculum.
“As a result of my leadership, my school has become a model for other schools across the country. My students are now more successful academically and социально, and they feel more connected to their school and their community.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have made a difference in the lives of my students. I believe that all students have the potential to succeed, and I will continue to fight for policies that make schools more equitable and inclusive.”

Call to Action

Deanna Stellato-Dudek is a shining example of what educators can accomplish when they are passionate about making a difference in the lives of their students. I encourage you to learn more about her work and to support her efforts to make schools more equitable and inclusive.
You can follow Deanna on Twitter at @DeannaStellato or visit her website at www.deannatellatodek.com.