William Castillo was nominated by his colleague, Rosanne Breland.
"Bill has been the band director at Omni Middle School for thirty years," said Breland. "We are currently colleagues at our school. I first met Mr. Castillo when my first child entered middle school and became a member of the band. Subsequently, my other two children joined the band, as well. The years we spent involved in band programs have been some of the most memorable our family has ever had. I am happy to say It all began with Mr. Castillo."
Mr. Castillo has been an inspiration to all of his students. Many of his students have gone on to pursue various careers in music. They have become professional musicians, composers, music therapists, and even music educators. Mr. Castillo has always encouraged his students to look beyond his classroom. He has pushed them to enhance their musical abilities by auditioning to perform in outside ensembles and learn from others. As talented as he is, Mr. Castillo is also one of the most humble people one could meet. He has given his students a secure foundation that would not have been found elsewhere.
Mr. Castillo's influence has shaped the lives of his former students in more ways than expanding their musical talents. He has been a role model who shows students how to be a genuine, compassionate, caring, and giving adult. He has enabled so many young people to become the best they could possibly be. The life lessons he has taught expand past the classroom setting.
"Mr. Castillo is retiring from teaching at the end of this year. Another band director will be hired, but he is truly someone who will not, and cannot, be replaced," said Breland. "Our school will miss him greatly. But, he will always be remembered. It has been an honor to know him and a pleasure to have worked with him. I look forward to many years of shared experiences as friends."
I met Mr. Castillo when my daughter audition for the band at Omni Middle School. Mr. Castillo dedication and drive inspire many students to pursue music. He instill in them love for music and push them to be better musicians. Mr. Castillo will be miss.
congratulations to bill. i had the pleasure to work with bill for eleven years as we opened omni middle school together. he is the final teacher who remains who opened the school and taught there continuously through thirty years. here's to a retirement that is stress free; you have certainly earned it. your musical talents will hopefully be put to good use after you leave the palm beach county school district.
Bill, you have been an inspiration to so many for over 30 years; but I personally learned of your teaching talent when our oldest son, Ivan, started 6th grade at Omni and one of his good friends, Austin, was starting Band. Austin had never played an instrument, read music, etc., but he went on to be part of the Spanish River Marching Band during his high school years thanks to you. Any person that can take someone with zero talent and give them the gift of appreciation, love and knowledge in any subject, is brilliant. It's been an honor and pleasure for me teaching at Omni and watching you make magic year in year out. Wishing you the very best now and always.
Mr. Castillo is an incredible band teacher. His students truly love music. The band plays at several school functions and their music is impeccable. It will be difficult to fill his shoes.
Mr. Castillo is an inspiration to students and staff - he is what we wish all teachers were like. He genuinely cares for and makes long-lasting connections with his students. He makes band 'cool' and students clamor to get into his classes. Additionally, Mr. Castillo works tirelessly; he holds daily practice sessions before and after school, he organizes numerous concerts annually, and he takes the band students on a trip every year. He truly changes the lives of everyone around him.
Bill Castillo epitomizes music education excellence. As soon as you are with him you understand his love for music and teaching music. This is so ingrained that everyone that meets him intuitively listens and joins in by having the a of music based on what he says. Students admire him and those that lack a strong natural inclination for responsibility or dedication to something not electronic, a common middle school trait, exhibit impressive responsibility and dedication qualities related to band. As many teachers do, he spends endless hours on concerts and field trips. He has never complained about the paperwork and organization needed to fund and participate. And these are planned by him because he loves having students involved, not mandated by others. He is well known for his years in the community and remembered by many that have grown into adults. His students are better people for having him as their band leader.
There are no words that could possibly express what a wonderful person and teacher Bill Castillo is. I have worked with Bill for the last 8 years at Omni Middle as one of their counselors. Bill has always been exceptionally easy to work with; if I needed him to add a student to Band after deadlines were set, he was always accommodating. His teaching skills are beyond phenomenal. He is like a magician when it comes to producing excellent musicians. I have attended almost all of the concerts created and conducted by Bill, and, I repeat, he is a magician! Even the beginning band, after only a few months of instruction, sounds like they have been together for years!
For me, he has always been a bright spot at Omni; professional, welcoming and a master at his craft. Congratulations, Bill, your retirement is well earned and I know you will be missed.
I have never seen a more dedicated band teacher. He takes groups of kids that do not know anything about musical instruments and makes them musicians. Omni was lucky to have him for all these years. He will be missed when he retires!!!!
As a coworker of Mr. Castillo in Omni Middle school for four years plus, I have witnessed the great work he has done. Mr. Castillo is a gentleman at all means and is loved by his students and his colleagues. He is a great conductor and music professor. It is a delight to listen to his band's performances.
Congratulations Mr. Castillo.
A lot of people can (and I'm sure will) say that Mr. Castillo is a wonderful band teacher... the best. I want to add my name to that list. Mr. Castillo is, hands down, the best secondary school band instructor I have ever seen. I was involved with school choir through the end of my undergraduate years. I was involved at the county and state level and at several different schools. I have NEVER seen a secondary band instructor who led his students to as much competence as Mr. Castillo consistently did. His students did not view themselves as students in band, but as musicians, and they are. He brought out a dedication to the craft that I would never have expected possible. He is a life changer, and he deserves all the accolades that can be written or said about him. He will be sorely missed: at our school, in the county, in the state.
I have known Bill for the past ten years and he is an example of what a teacher should strive to become. Year after year he has maintained a high standard of excellence for the music program here at Omni. He has earned the respect of his fellow teachers, administrators, students, parents, and the community. The student teachers that he has mentored over the years were very fortunate to have him show them what it takes to become a highly effective teacher. All of us here at Omni and in Boca will miss him.
The leader of the BAND and so much more. My lunch buddy, the guy who reflects stability and talent which he unselfishly shares with teachers and students alike. As an awarded teacher and band director in the entire state of Florida, a conductor who earns respect as the music man, will leave a void at Omni that only Fiedler or Bernstein could fill. Best wishes.
As a teacher at Omni Middle, I can honestly say that the commitment and dedication that Mr. Castillo has demonstrated to his students, school and community over the past 30 years is second to none. If our school was in Hollywood, California, they would be trying to re-boot the movie Mr. Holland's (Castillo's) Opus just so they could share Mr. Castillo's passion for music with the world.
Mr. Castillo is a fantastic band teacher and wonderful human being. He is a compassionate and caring adult that shows not only in the classroom but in his personal life. He has been the only band teacher that Omni has ever had and the school staff and students will greatly miss him. As a teacher and a friend, he has made an impact on my life and I know he has made a difference in those students lives who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher. I will miss him.
Congratulations on this nomination. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than you.
Mr. Castillo is one of a kind, and he touches the lives of everyone he comes in contact with. He will be greatly missed and never replaced. #LCOY
I have worked with Mr. Castillo for around 10 years. In that time he has proven to be a wonderful colleague, fantastic teacher, caring father, and all around good guy. I believe he has worked at Omni Middle School as the music teacher since the school's opening. We share many of the same students and they always speak very highly of him. High praise from 8th graders is not easy to earn.
With his leadership, our band wins awards every year. His expertise clearly has been a tremendous benefit to our students and community for many years and I believe he really deserves this award.
Mr. Castillo is one of the most dedicated educators I have ever encountered. His students would be consistently waiting outside his classroom door, when I arrived at school long before starting time. He will be missed more than words can express.