Yolanda Castillo Bio

Yolanda Castillo began her teaching career at Pharr San Juan Alamo ISD in 1983. While teaching 3rd grade at Clover elementary, she was named teacher of the year in 1988. In 1991 she earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration. She later returned for an endorsement in counseling and went to become a Counselor for three years. Convinced that unless the gap between school and home was bridged, students would continue to fall behind, she became a Parental Involvement Specialist in 1988. She continued to work for PSJA in the capacity of Assistant Principal before becoming a Principal at Graciela Garcia Elementary in 2007. She took the school through authorization in the International Baccalaureate in 2009 which to date, is the only Dual Language and IB School in South Texas. In 2013, Yolanda Castillo received the Distinguished Bilingual/ESL Education Honoree Award by TABE (Texas Association for Bilingual Education). She was also recognized by H.E.B. Excellence Education Awards in Austin, for two consecutive years, (2015, and 2016). In February of 2016, again under Ms. Castillo’s leadership, Graciela Garcia was certified as an Educate The Whole Child School, becoming the first school in the United States to receive the certification. In 2019, Ms. Castillo became an elementary principal at Vanguard Rembrandt Elementary. She currently serves as an Education Area Director at Hidalgo County Head Start program.  She continues to serve and provide leadership, support and technical assistance to the campus directors, and other staff in the design and implementation of the Education Services functions such as; the use of curriculum, progress monitoring tools, program operations, management of staff and other activities which include instructional planning sessions to ensure that the best and appropriate practices that are utilized in teaching and learning.  All for the love of children!