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Writer's pictureAndrew Marotta

The Partnership: Surviving and Thriving



I am beyond proud and excited to announce the release of my second book The Partnership: Surviving Thriving. This is a guide for parents to not only assist their children in their school journey but also to help parents build positive relationships with schools. I wrote this book through the lens of myself as a Principal but also as a father. My parents did an amazing job helping me to be successful in school during my K-12 journey.

I am blessed and fortunate to have received the guidance and strength they provided me along the way, and have passed much of it along to my own children.


In my 16 years as a school administrator in Port Jervis, New York, I have seen so many ups and downs; many success stories, and some tragic failures. I am proud to share with you many of the successful tips that I’ve learned along the way. This book is filled with emotional stories, simple techniques, and parenting strategies all to help lead parents in support of their children & their education.


My goal is to help others in their journey. When a student is successful in school, it leads to so many other positive avenues in their lives. When a student drops out of school, it’s more than likely the total opposite. I see failure on so many levels and I feel it as myself as a school administrator. I’d like to help empower parents to assist their children to be successful in this very important journey of their education.


What are your successes, what are your tips? What are the things you do as a parent to best support your child in their educational journey? Each and every family and student is different, and there are so many stories to share. I want to thank the many educators and parents who shared their stories in this book: Dr. John Bell, Julie Balogh, Denise Dicks, Dave Pulli, Asael Ruvalcaba, Anna Sackey, Kevin Spainhour, Dr. Deana Stevenson, and Frank Vogel. Thank you to my siblings for their parts...the laughs, cries, and amazing memories and stories they share throughout the book: Suzanne Carbonaro, Maureen Marotta, and Paul Marotta. I’d also like to thank Jay Billy, author & Principal in NJ for writing a powerful foreword for the book.


I view the journey of education like a marathon. It’s important that we empower students and their parents to keep running. This pandemic has presented so many challenges, in so many ways to families. This book can be a guide to help parents rebuild those partnerships and support their children in their educational journey.


When parents and educators can work together, only good things could happen for kids. Remember, we are both on the same side trying to do the best we can to serve children to put them in positions to be successful later in life.


Thank you to EDUMatch and the wonderful people involved in helping make this vision a reality. Sarah Thomas, Mandy Froehlich, and their production team. They believed in this project from the start and I know it will be a success. My goal is to have it as a resource for every PTSA around our country and beyond. There are many parents out there that need positive support in their efforts to help their children be successful in school. I believe this is the support they are looking for.

The book can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/ThePartnershipSurviveThrive and you can learn more/purchase an autographed copy here: https://andrewmarotta.com/


If I can help you in any way or you’re interested in booking me for a parent engagement night at your school, or your school district, don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21 on Twitter, or by email at andrewmarottallc@gmail.com. Thank you so much. Best to you in your journey wherever it is you currently are...early in the school years, in the thick of it, or at the tail end….#SurviveThrive


Andrew Marotta is an energetic and enthusiastic leader who has put his positive imprint on his beloved Port Jervis HS, in Port Jervis, NY. With the release of his first book, “The Principal: Surviving and Thriving”, Andrew is expanding his impact on the educational leadership community. The 2nd edition, The School Leader, Surviving & Thriving was released in November 2020.


In his personal life, Andrew is a loving husband to his wife, Jennifer, and a supportive father to their three young children. In his professional life, Andrew has been at Port Jervis HS for sixteen years, serving as Assistant Principal for seven years and Principal for the past nine. He has led the transformation of PJHS, helping to raise the graduation rate from a low 60% to mid and upper 80%.


There has been a positive mindset change among staff and students directly related to Mr. Marotta’s leadership in and around the school. In addition to academic achievement, the school’s climate and culture have evolved for the better. From smoky bathrooms and empty, downtrodden flowerbeds to clean, smoke-free halls and bathrooms and an abundance of beauty in and around the school, Mr. Marotta has been the catalyst for significant change at PJHS.


Now he wants to bring his game plan to you, your district, and leadership organization. Are you ready?


Born and raised by nurturing parents, Mr. Marotta grew up in a strict, Italian-American household in Staten Island, NY. His brother and sisters along with many cousins who lived nearby kept him busy and engaged as a child, which helped mold his ‘foot on the pedal’ personality. He was always trying to outdo or beat his siblings at one thing or another. They rarely let him win or come in first!


Andrew attended the prestigious, all-boys Xaverian HS in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the basketball team. He went on to attend Guilford College in Greensboro, NC, majoring in Biology and playing on the men’s basketball team, learning many life lessons during those years that would be tried and tested numerous times before landing in this book. Andrew eventually earned his Master’s at Wagner College in Staten Island, followed by his Administration degree from the College of Staten Island.


After volunteering in Tuscany, Italy for a year with the Augustinian Friars, he came home to attend graduate school and had a rare opportunity. After only three weeks of observing classes as a first-year graduate student, Andrew was offered a teaching job and jumped in without any formal training. He learned quickly and went on to teach science for several years on Staten Island, honing his direct style with students.


In time Mr. Marotta moved his family to Northeast, PA and started his career in administration at Port Jervis HS. He’s never looked back, and now, with the release of his first book, The Principal: Surviving & Thriving, he will impact education professionals and their schools with his practical and direct points of wisdom regarding school leadership.

Husband, Father, Principal, former Division One College Basketball Official, Adjunct Leadership Professor, Professional Speaker & Developer, Andrew Marotta balances his busy lifestyle and now shares with you the tips, tricks, procedures, and methods he uses to make it work. Take one or all of the tips in this book and make them your own. One day at a time and one wisdom point at a time, you’ll be better tomorrow than you are today. Enjoy this fun and energetic read!


His second book, The Partnership: Surviving & Thriving, a practical guide for families and schools to work closely together for the better of the children along their education journey, is set to be released in May of 2021. This book is for parents to learn how to best support their children in their K-12 journey while building great “partnerships” with the school. Andrew writes this book through the lenses of both a Principal and parent sharing stories, practical tips, and more in this informative and entertaining read.

Learn more at www.andrewmarotta.com & through his #ELBlog & #ELB podcast: Education Leadership & Beyond found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @andrewmarotta21, and Instagram. #ELB #survivethrive #keeprolling


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