When Dr. Anthony Taranto, Ed.D., was told by Redondo Beach Council PTA President Amy Huh that he would receive the Outstanding Administrator Award, he asked, “Are you sure?” But anyone who knows his story understands exactly why.
The award—the highest recognition given by the PTA—celebrates an individual who has made a profound and lasting impact on students. Amy Huh explained, “Dr. Taranto works tirelessly behind the scenes, driven by a deep commitment to education and community. His work has opened doors for students and helped secure nearly $1 million in grant funding over the past year. His unwavering dedication and efforts to strengthen our school district have made a lasting, positive impact on countless lives.”
Dr. Taranto’s journey to educational leadership began in a small town in western Pennsylvania. The only child of steel mill workers, he was told by his high school guidance counselor that he wasn’t “college material.” Instead of accepting that future, he graduated from college not once, but four times. “There’s nothing wrong with working in a mill,” he reflected. “But I knew I wanted something different.”
That drive led him to California during the mid-1990s, where class-size reduction efforts had opened teaching opportunities. He toured a school campus in Fontana, where classrooms had no heat and no air conditioning—just students with open hearts. “A student offered me her ice cream during lunch,” he recalled. “She didn’t have a lot but still chose to give.” That stayed with Dr. Taranto, and he took the job.
The experience shaped his approach to education, reinforcing his belief in the power of human connection and service. After seven years in California, Dr. Taranto moved to Seattle, where he worked as a teacher on special assignment, realigning the district’s math program. He was later promoted to middle school assistant principal. After two years, the sunshine called him back to California, where he was hired by the Redondo Unified School District.
For 20 years, Dr. Taranto has served RBUSD as Principal at Alta Vista Elementary and Adams Middle School, Director of South Bay Adult School, Executive Director Student Services, and currently, Executive Director of Career Pathways.
In this role, he leads efforts to expand Career Technical Education (CTE), helping students explore paths in media, business, culinary arts, and more. “Our goal is to help students discover careers, not just jobs, that will prepare them to be successful in life,” he explained.
For Dr. Taranto, education isn’t just a job. It’s a way to make a difference in the local community and beyond. From mentoring students to spearheading innovative programs, he believes every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered. “You have to connect with kids,” he says. “If they feel there’s a rapport you have with them and they feel that you genuinely care, they’re going to perform at a whole other level.” Many of his former students keep in touch, with some even pursuing teaching careers at RBUSD.
Beyond the office, Dr. Taranto is an engaged father and a proud member of the Lincoln Elementary PTA. He is currently organizing a college fair at RUHS this fall to connect families from across the South Bay and beyond with colleges and universities. “It’s a great opportunity to put potentially dozens, if not up to a hundred, schools from across the country onto our campus.”
Dr. Taranto credits his career success to the mentors and people who shaped him: his parents, his family, his colleagues, and especially the Redondo Beach community. As he often tells other educators in the district: “We serve our community. Take pride in that. And especially when you work in a place like Redondo Beach. It's a pretty good place to be.”
In a world that often celebrates bold voices and visible victories, Dr. Taranto reminds us that real impact is often made behind the scenes—quietly, consistently, and always with heart. He shows us what’s possible when we never stop exploring new ways to serve others.
We serve our community. Take pride in that. And especially when you work in a place like Redondo Beach. It's a pretty good place to be.