Flagler County principal and assistant principal of the year announced

Information provided by Flagler County Schools

John Fanelli the principal at Wadsworth Elementary school has been named the Principal of the Year for Flagler Schools. He’s been an educator since 2001, beginning at Old Kings Elementary School as a third grade resource teacher.

“John has exhibited leadership skills and abilities at the highest level while at Wadsworth. His focus on student success resonates across the hallways of the school,” Superintendent Jacob Oliva said. “This is a well­ deserved honor for him.”

Fanelli obtained his Master of Educational Leadership from Stetson University. He taught in Volusia County at Tomoka Elementary and began his training to become an assistant principal. The following year he was promoted to an assistant principal position at Pierson Elementary. After working in that capacity for three years he transferred to Discovery Elementary where he remained for a year and a half. While working at Discovery Elementary Fanelli was nominated for assistant principal of the year for Volusia County Schools.

He then returned to Flagler County where his educational career had begun so many years ago. Fanelli was the assistant principal at Wadsworth Elementary for two and a half years before being promoted to principal. He is in his third year as principal at Wadsworth Elementary.

 "It is humbling to come back to Wadsworth Elementary, the elementary school that I attended as a student so many years ago," Fanelli said.

Assistant principal of the year

Marcus Sanfilippo, the assistant principal at Indian Trails Middle School has been named the Assistant Principal of the Year for Flagler Schools. He’s been teaching in Flagler County since 1999, starting as a math teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School.

“Marcus is a valuable asset to the success of Indian Trails Middle School,” Superintendent Jacob Oliva said. “He has helped implement programs which have made ITMS one of the premier learning institutions in the state.”

Sanfilippo is a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School and Daytona Beach Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida and his Master of Educational Leadership from Stetson University. He was selected as the Flagler County Teacher of the Year in 2007. He became an Assistant Principal at BTMS in 2012.