LOS ALAMITOS, CA– It is not only students that make up the culture and spirit of Los Alamitos High School, but the teachers as well. This may be why Los Al’s Mrs. Castiglione (affectionately called Mrs. C by her students) has been awarded 2024 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. C is more than just a drama teacher- she is a beloved icon.
“I couldn’t believe it! I was having a really bad morning and came to work in a bad mood. As I started listening to people speak, I started getting a little suspicious. Once I realized that it was me, I started crying. Like, sobbing crying,” said Mrs. C.
Mrs. Castiglione has been teaching for 21 years and has been at Los Al for 12 years. However, initially, she was not prepared to be launched into her teaching career. Juggling life with a new baby and being a theater actor, Mrs. C only realized what she was getting herself into after she applied to be a co-drama teacher at a high school near Orlando, FL, where she was living at the time. Only then did she discover that being a drama teacher was her passion.
“I got the job and was lucky enough to work under another teacher who taught me how to be a theater teacher,” Mrs. Castiglione said. “I owe her my career.”
Mrs. C has since discovered that being a theater teacher does not just mean assigning roles and grading monologues. It’s all about connecting with students and giving them the freedom to be themselves, she explained, saying that this is something she will always be grateful to be able to do.
“[Mrs. C] put so much time and effort into the [drama] program and it’s worth it for people who want to put effort into theater as a career,” said drama student, Sean Morin. “She has helped me grow so much, not only as an actor, but as a person too. I can say she is the best teacher I have had.”
Mrs. Castiglione said that one of her favorite things about being a drama teacher is connecting with her students and showering them with support, especially during competitions.
“We have our holding section [during competitions], usually called our ‘campsite’, and that time to get to hang out with them and be their cheerleader and getting to actually spend time with them is the best part,” she said. “That, and seeing their faces after they have performed and they KNOW that they did an amazing job.”
I feel like she is one of the only teachers who actually asks for our mental health state and goes out of her way for her students’ ease…I think that’s why Mrs. C got Teacher of the Year; She has an overwhelming devotion to her students’ well-being.
— Jenny Woo, drama student
Los Al is lucky to have Mrs. Castiglione. Through her love of theater and teaching, Mrs. C has given students a chance to be themselves and has empowered Griffins to work hard to achieve their dreams. Congratulations to Mrs. Castiglione, Los Al’s 2024 Teacher of the Year!
