Salem Teacher Sandra Castillo Honored At State House Shine Awards

SALEM, MA — Salem 6th-Grade mathematics teacher Sandra Castillo of Collins Middle School was among 57 Latino educators presented with the Shine Award during the fifth annual Latinos for Educators Shine Awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House.

A member of the Salem High School Class of 2011, Castillo was honored alongside Ana Brea, a Spanish language educator at Salem Academy. Castillo was nominated by Salem State Representative Manny Cruz, who represents the 7th Essex District.

The Latinos for Education Shine Award honors educators for the extraordinary impact they make in classrooms and communities, fostering cultural pride and student success. Educators are nominated by their state legislators.

"Ms. Castillo is a dear friend, a community leader, and an educator who brings out the very best in her students," Cruz said. "As an educator, she is laser-focused on the needs of her students, helping them tap into their brilliance, and she is a great role model for all of our kids. I want to congratulate Ms. Castillo for all she has accomplished in her professional career and hope that she will continue to teach in Salem for years to come."

Castillo, a lifelong resident of Salem and an alumna of Collins Middle School, was recognized for the profound and lasting impact she has on her students.

"This award means the world to me," Castillo said. "One of my biggest reasons for becoming a teacher was to have a greater impact on students and help them rewrite the narrative that they are 'bad' at math. I feel incredibly grateful that I'm able to connect with students the way I do and make math more engaging and accessible for them.

"Being an educator that students can see themselves in makes this recognition especially meaningful."

The award adds to a recent run of recognition for Salem educators through Latinos for Education. Joanna Rodriguez, a City Connects Coordinator at CMS, received the Shine Award last year, while Bentley Academy Innovation School Assistant Principal Yamiliz Cruz was named one of 27 educators and community leaders to receive the LFE Aspiring Latino Leaders Fellowship.

In October 2023, Janet Garcia, a bilingual reading specialist at Bentley Academy, and Odilia Smith, a Spanish language educator at CMS, received the Exceptional Latino Educator awards.

As a student at Salem High School, Castillo was a member of the National Honor Society and a three-sport athlete in volleyball, gymnastics and track and field.

She also served as senior class treasurer and was part of the Student Council, Peer Leadership Group, Salem Leadership Institute and La Union Latina.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from Bucknell University in 2017.