With warmth, wisdom, and a deep love for history, Ms. Stefanie Santangelo has left a lasting impact on the Princeton Day School community during her seven remarkable years here. Since joining the Upper School in 2018, she has brought not only historical expertise, but also passion, insight, and heart into every classroom and conversation. 

Ms. Santangelo’s journey to PDS began when she and her wife moved to New Jersey to be closer to family. “We were fortunate to land at PDS together,” she recalled. “As a history teacher, I loved the idea of being in a town so central to the [American] Revolution, and I loved PDS when I visited. It was a perfect match!”

Throughout her time at PDS, Ms. Santangelo took on many roles—not only as a history teacher, but also as the History Department Chair, Freshmen  Dean, and a trusted advisor to many students. As Department Chair, she enriched the curriculum by organizing field trips to museums and hosting guest speakers, helping students draw meaningful connections between the past and present. She was also especially passionate about fostering civil discourse, encouraging students to engage with differing perspectives in respectful and thoughtful dialogue. 

One of her most memorable moments at PDS was being selected as the graduation speaker for the Class of 2023, a class she had supported from their very first day of high school. “It was a special class, and it was the first class I had seen all the way through,” she reflected. 

When asked what she’ll miss most about PDS, her answer came easily: the people. “I love my colleagues here and our administrative leadership. I’ve learned so much from the folks around me,” she said. 

This summer, Ms. Santangelo will be heading back to Massachusetts to teach at Noble & Greenough School. “Returning to Massachusetts  is a homecoming for me, as I grew up there,” she shared. “I’m thrilled that we’ll be back there on a permanent basis.”

As she begins this next chapter, Ms. Santangelo leaves behind not just a legacy of excellent teaching and leadership, but also a message to carry forward. Her parting advice to students and faculty is simple and heartfelt: “Look for joy and gratitude all around and embrace both. And of course, make good choices!” Though she may be moving on, Ms. Santangelo’s influence will continue to be felt in the classrooms she led, the students she mentored, and the conversations she inspired. She will be deeply missed and always remembered with gratitude by the PDS community.