RAYMOND GIOVANELLI, GRAND OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Raymond Giovanelli’s love of sports inspired his desire to build a school culture that encourages growth and being the best version of yourself. When he opened Grand Oak Elementary School 11 years ago, he knew he wanted it to be a place where students would thrive.

“I really wanted to create an environment where kids were excited to learn and were getting different opportunities to be a leader,” said Giovanelli. “We’re creating a whole school energy where children want to be in class.”

Giovanelli knew he wanted to work with kids in some capacity, and thought it would be through coaching. But he found that he enjoyed the energy of being in a classroom more. His first year as a middle school teacher was where he learned how to engage his students through exciting lessons and build relationships.

“It was a great opportunity for me to see what I wanted to do later when I became an administrator,” he said. “I wanted to create that kind of environment for all the kids I was going to have in my school as a principal.”

Grand Oak Elementary was part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 2007 bond that relieved Torrence Creek Elementary School. In his 30 years with the district, this was Giovanelli’s first time opening a school.

Helen Allen, Grand Oak’s treasurer, worked with Giovanelli back when they were both at J.V. Washam Elementary School. Allen said she moved to Grand Oak because of her belief in Giovanelli.

“The person you see is the leader you get,” said Allen. “Every day, he gives it his all, and if something gets in his way, we figure out a way around it to do what’s best for the students. And it’s been that day since day one, and that will never change.”

Allen said Giovanelli works his way through his staff list every year to write handwritten notes to staff which she said goes above and beyond what’s expected.

“I’ve been with him 17 years, and we don’t have much turnover each year,” she said. “And I believe it’s because of the culture that he’s built here.”

And the culture of Grand Oak is what Giovanelli would describe as, “engaging, energized and a place students want to be.”

“The parents entrust us with their children every day,” said Giovanelli. “We’re building a culture where parents are active in coming into the building and participating in our different events. It really makes me feel like we’re doing something good in the community.”

Giovanelli was recognized as a Principal of the Year finalist for Elementary School Performance Area D. He’s honored to be recognized by his peers, and more honored to be able to create an environment his students and staff enjoy.

“When you come into this job, you think more authoritarian, and that has shifted immensely,” he said. “You have to be a strong listener, be somebody that understands that you’re not always going to get it right and be able to surround yourself with people smarter than you are.”

“It doesn't matter if the phone is ringing, if there's a child bleeding in the health room, if there's trash on the soccer field, he's gonna stop what he's doing, and he's gonna take care of what needs to be taken care of,” said Allen. “He nurtures us in a way that makes you wanna be here. It gives you the energy and the leadership that you need to know that we're doing everything for the right reason, which is for the kids.”