The Southside ISD Board of Managers has named two Assistant Superindentent of Education.
Dr. Jodi Spoor who served previously as Director of School Improvement is the new Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education. Mr. Miguel A. Castillo who served previously as Uvalde High School principal is the new Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Dr. Spoor holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas-San Antonio. She holds a Master’s Degrees from both Trinity University and Texas Tech University. She is fluent in Spanish and earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies at Texas Tech University.
Dr. Spoor joined Southside ISD in October 2019. She was previously Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at Boerne ISD. She was also principal at Boerne Champion High School for six years.
She spent her childhood traveling throughout Latin America. She lived in Brazil during the 4th and 5th grade and learned to love the language and culture.
Her husband, Stephen, is a retired Special Education teacher. They have two daughters. And she loves spending time with her family, pets, riding her horses, cooking, reading, and traveling.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
Prior to serving as principal at Uvalde High School, Mr. Castillo served as a campus administrator for 14 years as an elementary, middle school, and high school principal in the Rio Grande Valley. He has been able to apply principles of effective leadership and management in regards to curriculum and instruction, budget planning and management, personnel, integration of technology, and ensuring a safe learning environment conducive to student learning. Mr. Castillo has implemented effective organizational management in order to comply with state and federal mandated requirements. Mr. Castillo has fostered professional growth among all instructional staff by ensuring all teachers serving students being certified and well trained with researched-based instructional strategies in order to implement with fidelity the success of Early College High School, T STEM, and Dual Language programs.
The pursuit of knowledge and the desire to learn has always been a part of his life. It is his belief that self-learning and a desire to improve has been key to his success. The ability to learn in novel situations is one of the most important skills necessary for advancement and it is that mindset that has been proven to be fruitful. It is also the main reason for Mr. Castillo’s accomplishments to this point. Mr. Castillo has become an effective administrator-leader that has successfully developed innovative programming that has positively affected the districts and communities he has served. Mr. Castillo has continued to couple his education with a strong work ethic and an ability to work efficiently with students, colleagues, parents, and community members. The value of a good education and this quality of self-learning was something that was always emphasized to him as a child and is something he has chosen to model for others.
Mr. Castillo taught high school Social Studies, served as high school assistant principal, TSTEM Coordinator, Early College High School Director, and Campus Principal. Mr. Castillo has presented at local and state conferences on the topics of STEM, Early College, and Dual Language.
“Students always come first & all students can learn and achieve. This precept simply states that failure will not be tolerated. We will believe that when a child fails to learn, it is the system that fails – not the child. The students shall be held no more accountable than the adults and vice versa,” Miguel Castillo said.
Mr. Castillo received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Composite from the University of Texas-Pan American and received his Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas-Pan American.