In this blog post, we are happy to share the story of one of our teachers! Johan Cece Castillo successfully completed the process to become a National Board-Certified Teacher! He was selected to represent his cohort by giving a speech at the celebration event alongside the mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson, CPS, other important Chicago Teachers Union and Board of Education representatives. Here’s his celebration speech highlighting the great impact of Teach USA in my professional career and personal life in general!
How my Greenheart TeachUSA journey started
My journey to this stage tonight didn’t start in a Chicago classroom; it began in Montellano, a small, underserved town in the Dominican Republic. Growing up there, my resources were scarce, but my determination was not. After teaching in the DR for seven years, I travelled to the U.S. on Greenheart’s Teach USA Program. I taught English as a Second Language in Chicago and served as the English Language Program Teacher (ELPT) at a K-12 school in the heart of Little Village. In those classrooms, I encountered challenges that felt hauntingly familiar.
Just like in Montellano, many of my Little Village students lacked resources at home, forcing some to drop out of school to work. Literacy levels were below average in both Spanish and English. During my second year of National Board candidacy, our school saw a massive influx of newcomers from Central and South America with wide and varied needs, including unidentified learning disabilities.
Greenheart Teach USA Program Offered Me Access to Opportunities
I had previously taught in overcrowded classes with students from many different Spanish-speaking countries. However, planning for a class that was 90% newcomers was a huge shift. I went from teaching a more culturally homogenous group to a “different reality.” I knew my existing strategies weren’t enough. I needed to be the highly accomplished teacher these students deserved. That is why I joined the Nurturing Teacher Leadership (NTL) program and began my journey toward National Board Certification.
Bringing Cultural to U.S. Classroom!
In order to make my lessons more culturally responsive, I devised a social science unit centered on issues my students could connect with deeply. Students explored topics such as urban housing equity, environmental justice, and the evolution of labor rights within immigrant communities. This approach enabled my English Learners to master complex vocabulary and discussion techniques, which remain a primary long-term goal. My students Central and South American countries, as well as Mexico, enjoyed comparing the values of society and the resources of their home countries with those found in the Little Village community. This was a powerful learning experience.
Is your school ready to host highly qualified international educators to contribute to the learning experience of your students and communities? Visit HostGreenheartTeachers.org to apply to host today.
If your school participates in one or more of Greenheart’s cultural exchange programs, your school will be eligible for up to $4,000 in grants as a Greenheart School. Learn more by visiting GreenheartSchools.org.