Dawe Elementary Principal Wins National Life Changer Award

STOUGHTON, MA — Getting a group of elementary school children to keep a secret is no easy task. But when it's for someone as special to them as Principal Robert Cancellieri, its worth it to see the surprised look on his face when all of Dawe Elementary School is cheering him on, as they put a cardboard crown on his head — because Cancellieri is 2019's National Life Group "Life Changer of the Year."

The award recognizes an educator's ability to make life-changing differences for the students in their community. Cancellieri was one of 30 winners across the country out of almost 1,000 nominees. He was nominated by Jennifer O'Sullivan, his school's speech-language pathologist, who along with the National Life Group, helped organize the surprise ceremony for Cancellieri earlier this month. Check out the full surprise award ceremony in the Stoughton Media Access Corporation's video below:

According to O'Sullivan, Cancellieri is a great listener and values every student and faculty member at the school. When nominating Cancellieri, O'Sullivan said the principal probably knows the name of all 349 children at the school and builds relationships with them. Whether its in the classroom, playing football on the playground at recess, or just giving someone a high five in the hallway, Cancellieri always finds a way to make a difference for his students, O'Sullivan said.

"This nomination was extremely easy to make because he's not only a life changer but a many lives changer and a whole Dawe School changer," O'Sullivan said.

Cancellieri told the students and staff they are easy to brag about and would take them over any other school.

"I really enjoy coming to work each and everyday and seeing each and everyone of you at the Dawe School. It has not even been a complete two years yet, but I feel like I've been here my entire life."