Getting to know you

Tony Valente wants to meet you.

The new Kaneland High School principal is preparing for his first year by trying to meet as many community members and students as possible.

"I want to reach out to understand the Kaneland community," he said. "Everyone should have a say in what's going on."

Valente, who lives in Sugar Grove, came to the district last year as an assistant principal at the high school, focusing on discipline.

He was hired as principal in June when his predecessor, Mike Davis, resigned after two years.

School board member Cheryl Krauspe, who was on the committee that recommended Valente for the job, said his commitment and outlook set him apart.

"He's so real and so genuine, and that comes across to kids," she said.

Valente, 37, was born in southern Italy. His family moved to the United States when he was 6 years old.

He had academic troubles in high school he attributes to speaking English as a second language. Italian was spoken at his house.

"It's good that I struggled a little bit," he said. "You know where struggling kids are coming from."

It's critical for students to have something in school that they like and look forward to -- whether it's a class, sport or club, Valente said. Even though he had some trouble with classes, he liked going to school because of his friends, he said.

He overcame that difficulty at Triton College and then Northern Illinois University. He met his future wife when they tutored each other in different subjects.

Valente started his career teaching history and special-education students before being hired in West Aurora as a middle and high school administrator.

The middle school experience will come in handy this year, when the district's eighth-grade class moves to the high school building.

Valente wants to look at the school's improvement plan and reach out to faculty and community members in his first year, he said.

He will be a good leader, secretary Beth Sterkel said.

"I think he has a lot of goals for teachers and great ideas," she said. "And he's a lot of fun."

Valente said he is excited about working in the community where he lives.

"I've always dreamed of working and living in the same community so I can get to know the kids, families and communities very well," he said. "To know the good, the bad and what needs to be changed, you have to be in it."

Valente moved to Sugar Grove three years ago with his wife and three children, ages 11, 7 and 6.

He also is a board member of the not-for-profit Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization.

He chose to join that group because they have no administrative costs, he said.

"Every dollar goes to people who need it," he said. "That's what I look for."

Last year, he organized a golf outing that raised $20,000 for local needy families, the most the event had ever raised.

As a principal, Valente says he has an opportunity to reach many students.

"For me, I feel this (job) is a great place to make an impact," he said. "I can make things better for kids, and that's what I'm going to strive to do."