Nydia Castillo’s career with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spanned three decades, beginning in 1986 when she was among a group of teachers recruited from Puerto Rico. At CPS Nydia was not only a teacher, but a school administrator, counselor, and Manager of the Citywide Bilingual Education Department in the Office of Language and Cultural Education.
Throughout her career, Nydia had a plan for retirement. “I believe every person who’s looking toward retirement has a plan. Mine was very solid. Do more theater and travel as much as possible.” she said.
Nydia started acting in the theater at the age of 13, and throughout her twenties, she balanced professional acting with her studies in education and counseling. Nydia’s love for the theater and acting significantly influenced her teaching approach, leading her to bring theatrical techniques into the classroom. Her belief in the power of theater even inspired her master's thesis, “Theater as an Instrument for Guidance and Counseling for Children.”
