Clifton Merchant Magazine - November 2014

Anthony Orlando Then, with a master’s degree in school administration and supervision in hand, Orlando was ready for a challenge and a change. He became the assistant principal at School 12, working under Sal Anzaldi (the brother of Clifton Mayor James Anzaldi), who became another trusted mentor.

“Sal had a common-sense approach to practices related to education issues,” he Tony and his wife Kathy with their daughters Kara, Lisa and Jenna. recalled. “He knew how to handle disciDuring his 35 years as an educator in Clifton, Orlando pline. He knew how to deal with different kinds of peohas coached lacrosse, football, soccer and girls basketple.” The Orlando and Anzaldi families were neighbors ball. Along with his many joys from a career in education, in the area of town between Route 46 and Clifton he has experienced his share of personal tragedy. His Stadium. mom, dad and sister Flo all succumbed to cancer. He also The shift to being an administrator was a major decilost his best friend, Dan Dolinsky to the disease. Orlando sion for Orlando. His wife Kathy strongly encouraged and Dolinsky graduated together at CHS, played lacrosse him to make the move. together at MSU, and both started their careers as teach“She thought I would be good at it,” he said. As it ers in the Clifton School District. turned out, the timing was right and the progression of In his years working as a teacher, coach and adminishis career panned out well. Orlando spent three years at trator, Orlando kept in touch with Bob Roberts, who has School 12 and then was hired as the principal of School since retired and now resides in Florida. The two men 17, which opened in 2004. He tapped as the principal at became close and coached freshman football together at CHS just prior to the start of the 2013 school year.

CHS, leading the team to an undefeated 8-0-1 record in 1990. One day on the team bus, the two were engaged in a conversation. Orlando seized the moment and said: “Coach, you know why I became a teacher? It’s because of you.” Orlando then recounted the story about the Christopher Columbus locker room. Roberts sat back, smiled and simply said he didn’t recall the episode.

Today, that moment in the locker room continues to resonate with Orlando. More than just a sentimental memory, it has molded his philosophy as an educator and opened his eyes to the profound significance of even the most ordinary interaction with students. It’s the notion that, on any given day, teachers, mentors and coaches have the opportunity to inspire someone—identifying a gift within a person that hasn’t yet been fully realized.

“It makes me think about what I say to a kid before I say it,” Orlando said. “As a teacher and a coach, you never know what kind of an impact you’re going to have on a young person’s life. You always have to encourage students, keep the message positive.”

For Orlando and his students, this is the guiding message as the school year unfolds, Mustang Pride stays strong and the doors remain open.

16 November 2014 • Clifton Merchant