Ana Castro was nominated by a colleague, Patricia Power.
Ms. Castro has done excellent work setting the tone and direction at South Texas Preparatory Academy. The school is founded on strong educational principles conceived at the district level and successfully delivered through her leadership. Professional Learning Community (PLC) practices have driven the district’s goals for several years, and STPA has been one of the first schools to actively embrace the approach. None of this would have been possible without Ms. Castro. Teachers have been exposed to PLC training, concepts, and its practical instructional application, and the STPA campus has seen a paradigm shift from knowledge to greater synthesis and application. Ms. Castro understands that change is difficult and requires patience. It's no accident that STPA has become a Blue Ribbon school and a Texas School to Watch.
"Our principal, Ana Castro, embodies all of the characteristics discussed in Steven Covey's books regarding effective individuals, and she excels as our instructional leader," Power said. "She has made all of us understand that we are part of a family here, and in these uncertain times, that sense of belonging has enabled us to build a place where excellence is celebrated every day."
Mrs. Castro plays an active role in supporting teachers and staff for the success of our students. She has created a great school community in where students feel safe and know they will be treated fairly. Thank you Mrs. Castro for all you do here at STPA and your dedication.
Setting up a solid strong foundation is the toughest responsibility of a leader. Delivering the standards and expectations of none other than exceptional, definitely supports that big job. Mrs. Ana Castro, is a real life changer by being the leader that she is. She expects nothing but the best, at the same time, making sure she has my back every step of the way. A real Spartan right in our midst!
Mrs. Castro has set a great example for her staff, students, and parents of STPA. It has been a great pleasure to work under her leadership. She has high standards for everyone but meets all with a humble heart. Thank you Mrs. Castro for all you do!
Mrs. Castro embodies the true spirit of education. Mrs. Castro firmly believes that all students can and will learn. She along with her team of teachers, administrators, and support staff have created an environment conducive to learning that fosters independent thinking, leadership skills, and a sense of community. Despite the many accolades the school has earned, Mrs. Castro is humble, open to new ideas, and leads by example. Students are exposed to innovative technology and are always engaged in learning. Students achievements are always celebrated and Mrs. Castro ensures all students are validated for their efforts.
Mrs. Castro is an inspirational and motivational leader whose compassion overflows from her campus onto the community. Congratulations on your nomination.
Congratulations on your nomination for Life Changer of the Year! Your commitment to South Texas Preparatory Academy is noteworthy and commendable.
It is an honor to work with Ana Castro. She exhibits leadership skills rarely found in individuals in such leadership positions . Her professionalism and positive attitude are a driving force in everyday practices with teachers, staff, parents and students. I especially like her approach and ways in which she embraces change and challenges when presented to her. She embodies a multitude of qualities that motivate and inspire all involved.
It is a pleasure working with Mrs. Castro because she always puts the needs of the students first. She continuously finds ways to promote and support student success, and has developed an inclusive environment for her staff as well. Mrs. Castro does an excellent job promoting reading and the library program at STPA has a strong advocate in her.
Not Only is Mrs. Ana Castro the Greatest Boss as our school principal, but she is a great human being who has a humble heart and is always available to help anyone in need. STPA is blessed to have her as our Leader! If anyone deserves any recognition is her. I believe in my heart that this is no coincidence and that our principal deserves to be nominated for Life Changer of the Year.
Ms. Castro runs the best middle school in the Rio Grande Valley, if not the entire state. Her enthusiasm, compassion, integrity, competence, and loving tenderness combine to make her a great leader. She inspires her staff, teachers, and students with positive reinforcement and stringent professionalism. I am very grateful that my son had the opportunity to be at STPA a few years back. Ms. Castro's leadership and team building benefited my son and all the other students. As a parent, I have had the opportunity to experience all sorts of cultures in many schools, and Ms. Castro's is the best of the best!
It is an honor to work with an outstanding person who has great leadership skills cares about her staff and students and is always there to offer support. Ms. Castro thank you
Mrs. Castro is a true servant leader. You will find her in the classrooms, hallways, cafeteria and academic and sports events, always supporting students. She is actively involved in every aspect of campus operations and is open to student and staff ideas to continually improve STPA. All stakeholders have a voice and knowing that truly makes STPA feel like a family. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.
My daughter attended STPA for two years. She is now thriving in High School. I attribute my daughter's success to the supportive environment at stpa. This student-friendly environment starts with Ms. Castro, the principal, and trickles down to each member of the staff. She is always smiling as she goes down the halls greeting students by name. She truly cares and they know this. Her attitude and actions have such a strong impact on all those around her. She inspires students, staff and parents to give the love and attention to the "now" in order to have a better future. She is definitely a life changer! May God bless her so she can continue to transform lives!
Ms Castro lives it’s Mission/Vision statements to her Teachers and Students everyday which is why STPA has been consistently rated TOP
Junior High School!
Congrats n well deserved
Blessings
As a parent of a child in the southtexasisd school district, it makes me proud to see an educator whose contributed to bettering the district's education system as a whole. It would be wonderful to see that her candidacy for the lifechanger award be given serious consideration in light of her work and dedication to work in education.
As a parent of a child in the southtexasisd school district, it makes me proud to see an educator whose contributed to bettering the district's education system as a whole. It would be wonderful to see that her candidacy for the lifechanger award be given serious consideration in light of her work and dedication to work in education.
Ms. Castro is a shining example for her students and our children. I have nothing but praise for the way she respects the students, teachers, and parents. Ms. Castro's dedication to the betterment of the school community is apparent and appreciated.
Ms. Castro is a shining example for her students and our children. I have nothing but praise for the way she respects the students, teachers, and parents. Ms. Castro's dedication to the betterment of the school community is apparent and appreciated.
We thank you Mrs. Castro for creating a learning environment in which our children are prepared and encouraged to become life long learners. As a parent and an educator myself, I am fully aware that it takes great leadership skills, dedication, and hard work to lead a learning facility with the success that South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA) has. The best practices, challenging curriculum, and positive approach of your staff towards all students impacts our children in a positive way. Thanks to your leadership skills my children as well as many other children that have the privilege of attending South Texas Preparatory Academy are on their way to a successful future!
I have worked with Mrs. Castro for the past 3 years at South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA). I appreciate her support when I need answers or guidance throughout my day. As the school's nurse, I often inform her of issues that need attention. Mrs. Castro has practical solutions for conflict resolution that sometimes elude me. =) She has a quick smile and is easy to approach when I need to bounce ideas off of someone. Thank you Mrs. Castro and Congratulations on your nomination.
It was such an honor to have her as a principal. She has driven STPA to the great school it is today and she is always looking to make it even better. She taught me so much in the 2 years I was there and she always showed us a smile. She has amazing leadership skills that have developed a great family. She always thinks about how she can make the future of the student even better. Thank you for everything! & Congratulations!
As a parent of 2 students that have attended STPA, I have been a witness to Ms. Castro’s true caring approach to leading her staff and students to strive for academic excellence, pride, and unity. She has a presence of quiet strength, integrity, and understanding. She is a genuine Lifechanger! Congratulations to her on this honorable nomination!
Ms. Castro, You are approachable, reasonable, accountable. I see that the students in your school are mindful, respectful, willful and committed. This combination of leadership and response, from both the student and the administration, bring about the change needed in schools today and will have anyone in this environment rise.
Congratulations on this well deserved nomination and to those around you who benefit from your dedication.
Ana is a great leader. She listens to her teachers and students then acts accordingly. Being a former counselor, she understands her constituents and acts with integrity.
Congratulations on this wonderful honor, Mrs. Castro.
Thank you for making STPA the best place for our children to learn and become their best selves. You are making a positive impact!
It was such a blessing to work with Mrs. Castro! She is extremely supportive and dedicated to her vocation! Thank you for always extending your support and going above and beyond to make the entire school community your utmost priority! Continued success on all your endeavors!
Thank you, for working with students every single day, and making a difference in their lives.
The work that individuals like Ms. Castro should not be gone unappreciated. Her campus offers summer camp opportunities for students all over the valley. I was that mother that reached out for information. She immediately replied and not only gave me all information needed but also made me feel welcomed.
It is an honor and privilege to work with such an inspiring leader and definitely one that has proven to be a life changer for South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA). As Superintendent of Schools for South Texas ISD, I have watched Ana Castro and her team create an environment where high expectations, a rigorous curriculum, effective instructional practices and support, and strong parental an community involvement have resulted in STPA's being a nationally ranked school.
I am truly blessed to work at STPA under the leadership of an outstanding principal. Your dedication to our students and staff is seen in all you do. I am grateful to be here. Thank you!
It is truly an honor to work with an excellent leader. Your love and compassion for our students and your staff inspire me to do the same!
Your excellence drive our kids success.
You definitely make the best principal a school can have, We cant thank you enough for your great leadership.......
Blessings!
God has blessed us with an amazing Principal. She is caring, compassionate, and very helpful. Wouldn't want to work in any other place than South Texas Preparatory. Thank you Mrs. Ana Castro for the opportunity to work with family. God bless you.
