Tony Cattani has been the PROUD Principal of Lenape High School in New Jersey for the past 20 years. Recognized as the New Jersey Principal and Supervisor Visionary Principal of the Year and the 2025–2026 National Secondary Principal of the Year, Tony is passionate about helping schools create cultures where people are proud of their work and believe their best resource is EACH OTHER! Through keynote presentations, leadership workshops, the Proud Principals Podcast, and initiatives developed at Lenape—including the Care. Try. Lead. framework and Leadership Academies for students and staff, he shares practical strategies that help schools build pride, strengthen relationships, and develop leaders at every level.
New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association - Board of Directors
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association - Executive Member
National Principal Association - Member
Podcasts Featuring Tony
In this episode, Jimmy interviews the 2025 National High School Principal of the Year, Tony Cattani. Tony shares his experience with isolation and the pressures faced by many school leaders to be everything for everyone, sometimes causing them to question whether they can continue doing this work. Listen to how Tony found his way back to become a nationally recognized leader. The Interview Chair w/Jimmy Casas
Leaning Into Leadership w/Darrin Peppard
Tony shares how his leadership journey evolved from managing to truly leading, and how a single conference keynote transformed his outlook. We dive into his groundbreaking peer observation model that has generated more than 4,000 teacher visits, fostered collective efficacy, and built a culture where everyone grows together. From collegiality cafes to popcorn lesson invitations, Tony’s story is a masterclass in empowering educators and redefining professional development.
Doors closed, minds open or the other way around? Our conversation with NASSP’s 2025 National Principal of the Year, Tony Cattani, pulls back the curtain on how a large high school built a culture where teachers learn from teachers every single day. Tony walks us through the exact system that turned isolation into collective efficacy: a strengths inventory across four core areas, 25-minute targeted classroom visits, collegiality cafes that showcase teacher-designed practices, and a simple feedback loop that amplifies wins to supervisors and the entire staff.
Educational Leadership with Principal JL
“Every school has unique challenges, but the strongest cultures share a common foundation. When people CARE for one another, are willing to TRY new ideas, and LEAD from where they are, they create environments where everyone can take PRIDE in their work.”
