About Lincoln Elementary

Dear Lincoln Students, Teachers, Staff & Community Members:

My name is Edgardo B. Castro; I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the new principal of Lincoln Elementary beginning on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Currently, I'm the principal of Roosevelt Elementary; both schools are amazing. In an effort to consolidate Lincoln and Roosevelt schools next year; I will serve as the Principal for the incoming academic year 2018-2019. Over the past 18 years, I have worked as a classroom teacher, English Language Development Specialist and as an Assistant Principal in Juan De Onate, Washington, and Del Norte schools. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing through my very own eyes HOW all children can learn. Hence, I will spend a lot of time with our 234 kids and 48 adults by getting to know his/her interests, personalities, learning modalities, and creating various cultural connections. I will encourage each student to read every day and let them know they are valued and respected in our school community.

Further, I am excited to be working with you because this means, we will intensely collaborate together. As the old African Proverb states, "It takes a village to raise a child," not only true to myself but my entire community in the southern part of the Philippine Islands. They celebrate the successes I have had in life! We will communicate; share the best research-based teaching strategies to enhance the learning experience of our students at Lincoln Elementary School.

One of my top priorities is to ensure that our kids are safe, healthy, and happy. Next, we need each student to be at school every day and on-time. Thus, we will launch a campaign entitled, "No More Than 5 Absences in a Year" for school year 2018-2019. A detailed information about this will be sent out to all parents, guardians, and the community. Student attendance has been one of my concerns since I started teaching in year 2000-2004 in the Philippines, where I taught 1st through 6th grades. On July, 2004, I was selected and hired to teach through the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) program. I was assigned to teach 3rd grade in a suburban school in Harnett County, North Carolina from 2004-2007. I moved to Virginia from August, 2007, to January 13, 2016, where I taught 3rd grade for two years and as an English Language Development Specialist for almost seven years in Northampton County Public Schools, Virginia.

On January 19, 2016, I started working as an assistant principal for Gallup-McKinley County Schools. One of my gratifying accomplishments is when a student mentioned, "Mr. Castro, thank you for making me read every day and be respectful." On a personal side, I have a son who lives in New Zealand and a dog named Twizel who just turned 13 years old this year.

In closing, I'd like to CONGRATULATE each of you for achieving a rating of an "A" school. Together, we will reach the highest level of SUCCESS. I look forward to speaking with you in person. I will be in school most of the summer day to get ready for any amazing school year. Please pass by at any time. Thank you very much!

With high respect,

Edgardo B. Castro, M.S. Ed., NBCT