Philon Castillo
Position: Special Education Teacher
School: Desert Willow Elementary School
School District: Carlsbad Municipal Schools
City, State: Carlsbad , NM
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Music that Describes Philon
Philon Castillo was nominated by someone who wishes to stay anonymous.
"Nurturing, loving, and selfless," said the nominator. "This woman changes lives everywhere she goes, including her classroom. Mrs. Castillo is a special education teacher who has made it a lifetime goal to ensure her students feel loved, accepted, and wanted among their peers, teachers, and family. Above and beyond doesn't seem to touch the surface of her service."
"Mrs. Castillo thrives to make her classroom, her school, and this world a better place," said the nominator. "She has recently been referred for the selection pool of multi-classroom leaders supporting the Carlsbad municipal school district. This selection recognizes exceptional skills and dedication to education...Mrs. Castillo has created a firm, strong foundation for my life. I can obtain, hold, and reach higher achievements in my career path because of this woman. She is a light that guides, encourages, and touches so many lives around her. She's such an uplifting spirit!"
Mrs. Lonnie aka NANI, Has been a Wonderful Positive Influence in Our Lives and everyone else that I've seen She is given the opportunity to work with. She can take any situation and make it Better, Positive, Hopefull, & Joyful. Children can feel the genuine Love & Care She has for Her Students, and Love is What makes the obstacles begin to be removed, and these children begin to achieve in areas that seemed an impossibility. The Love She works with daily is a Beautiful Gift that She shares with Her assistants as well and that's what makes it work!!! Mrs. Lonnie is Most deserving of this recognition for the Love, Dedication, Commitment & Hard Work. Blessings
Mrs. Castillo is one in a million she is someone that has put a lot of smiles on the kids faces. She is an amazing teacher that has been in inspiration to not only the kids lives but to the parents as well.
We are grateful to have had Ms. Castillo in our lives. She went above and beyond to advocate for my son. She never gave up on him. She was wonderful at keeping me informed and giving me resources to help my son. Although we moved, she still keeps in contact to check on how my son is doing. She is definitely one of a kind with her generosity and dedication to help special needs children.
Mrs Castillo is an AMAZING teacher and loves her students with everything she has!
We have been so impressed with her this yr with our kiddo. She has unlocked a vault in my son and has him talking and we are so very thankful for her. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher this yr and it has been a complete 180 from last year I also think because of her my kiddo is comfortable being there at school. She is so helpful and goes above and beyond to get him to where he needs to be She always ask us if we need anything or if there is anything she can do to help she gives me information that has been so helpful! We are so proud of her and need more teachers like her!!! Thank you so much for helping him grow!! Your so special and one of kind!!
Mrs. Lonnie was a great impact in our lives as she lead us with our son who is autistic, Jovonny Fuentes, to feel very comfortable and confident that he would be getting the best education possible under her care and she did not fail us one bit! She made us comfortable and My wife, myself,and our son have gained nothing but Love for Mrs. Lonnie. It give me great pleasure to nominate Mrs. Lonnie for this outstanding award that seem to be the perfect fit for her and her ways of make families comfortable and confident that our children would get the best education possible. We Love you Mrs. Lonnie and are so Thankful to have had you in our lives and hope we never have giving you to much of a hard time! Keep up the Good Work of changing lives because you are great at it! Thank you again so much from the Fuentes Family
Father Joseph A. Fuentes Sr and our Son Jovonny A. Fuentes.
Mrs. Lonnie is an amazing teacher she made a huge impact in my son life. She was his teacher for two years but even when he was not in her classroom she was always willing to help when he had melts down or a bad day. Up to this day I know that I can reach out to her if I have any concerns or questions when it comes to my son’s education. She is the person most deserving of this award.
I was Ms. Castillos teaching assistant for about 3 years in a Severe and Profound Special Education classroom.
At this time, I had never been in a classroom, much less a high level Special Education classroom. In my time being Lonnie’s assistant I learned so much. I had so much joy being able to be apart of these students lives, that I ended up pursuing my own Special Education license.
Congratulations for this amazing honor Ms. Lonnie! Thank you, for opening my heart and mind to students!
When I first worked with Philon, it was the best special education class I had ever worked in, about fifteen years ago. She was firm and expected everyone to follow the rules. They did and it is because she cared for the children. I was able to do my therapy in the classroom and get incredible results. That is all I got out of the that experience; eventhough I'm sure there was more . Presently, I work with her again and I believe I have a better perspective. This time I have seen her take a classroom that was struggling where kids were acting out, hitting others, yelling, not following rules to a thriving, learning environment. The transformation was immediate and all along there was caring as she firmly changed the environment. The aides that Ms. Castillo has working for her have wholeheartedly implimented her teachings and complement her approach. In meetings with parents, she guides them with compassion and honesty to what will make their child have the best life possible.
She is also mentoring other Special Education teachers this time around. In our district, as may be around the country, we are struggling to fill Special Education positions. Ms. Castillo takes the struggles we have in stride, stays positive, and patiently teaches change to the inexperienced teachers. The results are incredible. One new teacher now has confidence, and because of Philon's guidance, has transformed another struggling classroom into a thriving learning environment. I have heard other staff say the same wonderful stories at other schools Philon has graced. As for me, I was so burned out due to such chaos for years that I possibly was going to retire early, but do to Ms. Castillo's efforts will stay on longer. Life Changer:) :) :) :)
You are the best thing that could have happened to Noah & our family. You have been such a great blessing to us. He has grown so much in your care as his teacher. You are one of a kind and if anyone deserves the award it’s you!
Lonnie Castillo very well deserved award.. you have done so many great things. Eli wouldn’t be where he is today without you in his life. You have been such a big help with my son he is now a strong thrivin 6th grader. I thank you for that.
Such a kind and deserving person to win such a prestigious award/title. All the kids that were able to have her as a teacher are truly so lucky.
My son who is currently in her class is learning so much from her guidance, we are super grateful for her kindness and her ability to connect with him. Thank you!
Such an amazing teacher and human being!!
She is a wonderful person, you can tell that when first meeting her. She truly cares about the kids and positively impacts their lives.
Finally a title worthy of Philon Castillo or as we like to call her "Mrs. Lonnie". LifeChanger, what is the definition of a "LifeChanger?"
Mrs. Lonnie became our daughters first grade teacher in 2019. Ireland was diagnosed with autism 2 years before meeting Philon and we knew we had to choose very carefully when we were putting her into school. I don't know if it was Devine intervention or fate but we had no idea that when we walked into Mrs. Castillos classroom our life would be changed forever.
We once had fear that little girl wouldn't be accepted or her teacher wouldn't have the patience or knowledge to be able to nurture our child, but it was the exact opposite. Lonnie was her teacher for 4 years and in that time Ireland didnt just meet her annual goals but she crushed them! She had someone who loved her, nurtured her, believed in her and did whatever I took to make sure she excelled.
She's one the most important people in our lives and she has become a mighty warrior in our little tribe. She has always been our babies number one advocate and fan and she has brought more joy to our lives than anyone could ever imagine. You might call her a LifeChanger, because she most certainly is, but we can her our Angel on Earth. I could go on infinitely because only writing one paragraph is robbing you of so many stories, memories and life changing moments, but there would never be enough room on the paper!
We 100% back this nomination as we can't imagine anyone who deserves it more than her!
This Lady is a Beautiful person inside and out! I had the privilege to work with her several years back and I was Amazed and Inspired by her sweet spirit, enthusiasm, and attitude. She absolutely loves and cares about students, parents, and colleagues even on the hardest of days. She inspires others to be positive, responsible, professional, and a better teacher/
person every day. I feel Lonnie is Very deserving of this Award for all of her years of hard work, dedication, and love that she has shown to children and parents.
She is a fantastic teacher. She helps her students from the time they enter until they are out of high school.
Thank you for caring for students that need just a little more time, understanding, attention, patience, and love. You a true Blessing and a true Gift to all those wonderful Children
Thank you, luz
Lonnie gives her heart and soul to her students. In her classroom, Lonnie fulfills so many roles. She is a teacher, a protector, a listener, a guide, a caregiver, a friend, an advocate, and so much more! To say Lonnie loves her students and her roles would be an understatement. They are her life and she gives them her all! There is no one more deserving of this award.
Your the most wonderful person in the world , who has the biggest heart for our children! xoxo
Ms.Chey
This lady is amazing! Wish we had more teachers recognized! Way to go!
Lonnie is an amazing teacher!
What make Lonnie special? Where would I start. It’s starts inside of her, her heart. In her field of work, that I know can be so difficult, she opens her heart and hugs with it. She creates smiles and memories that last a lifetime and can carry you out of the darkest places. This is a gift that not many have. A special child would be so lucky to have a special teacher. Lonnie, I am lucky to call you a friend!!
I have known Lonnie for over 40 years. Her kindness and compassion has been who she is her entire life. She deserves to be recognized for not only her passion for teaching, but how she touches everyone in her life.
This woman is such an amazing human being! She changes the lives of so many people. Just about everyone she comes into contact with.
Mrs Castillo was one of the best most kind hearted genuine teachers I ever had. During one of the most hurtful times of my life I’m glad she was around and helped me through it!!
Where do I begin? This woman is such an amazing woman. The best mom to my girlfriend, the best and most dedicated grandma I’ve ever seen, she leaves a mark on every life she touches. I’m lucky to have been blessed with her presence in mine and my sons life. <3
Lonnie, I am so proud to have grown up with you in my life. You are an amazing inspirational and caring person.
I don’t think anyone deserves this more than she does I’ve seen firsthand how much she cares about her students and how much they care about her
I have known Philon since our 7th grade year! She has been the light of so many of our friends for all these years! I can so see why you would be nominated my dear friend and I am blessed and better by just knowing you! I listen to stories of your days with your kids at school (your kids by heart) and can see how important it is for you to make a difference in their hearts! Not just your kiddos, it’s to your family and your friends as well! I love you friend and congratulations and Thank you for loving so hard and making that difference!
