March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Francisco Del Castillo-Ramos, a high school math teacher at the Spire School, part of Greenwich Education Group.
What is your favorite thing about working here?
There are two things I like the most. The first one is that I get to work with a group of great professionals, where we all collaborate to assist our students to achieve their goals. Additionally, I know I can go to the next classroom and ask a colleague for help at any time during the day. And, along these years, we have forged several friendships. The other thing that I like the most is working with my students. While the Spire School is a therapeutic environment, and our students have special needs, they are great kids. It is great to see them make connections and discoveries through their learning.
What keeps you coming to work each day?
It is a great feeling to see students' progress in their understanding of the world and the growing strength of their critical thinking. This evolution keeps me going as a teacher.
How do you make an impact on students’ lives?
I make an impact on their lives by building relationships with them. Our students need to know that they are not alone, but that there are responsible adults in their lives who want what is best for them. Our students need to feel that they are in a safe environment where they and their contributions will be welcomed.
Which one of our BetterTogether values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive)
While all five values are important, I think being supportive resonates with me the most. As a teacher, I support my students through their academic challenges, and as a professional, I try to be supportive of my colleagues.
What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?
The day begins early, as I work to finish the last details for the lessons of the day (going over notes, printing worksheets, posting on Google Classroom, etc.). Once the day begins, it moves fairly quickly. Some lessons keep the students' attention to the end, while others are more difficult. Differentiation takes place from section to section and from student to student. Having small-size classes facilitates interaction with every one of my students, which allows me to assess and assist my pupils with any issue. I use my prep periods to catch up on my grading and posting on PowerTeacher, as well as to begin planning for the next day or even for the week. Frequently, I invest part of my lunch period to help those students that require one-on-one support. By the end of the day, I try to have notes and assignments ready for the next day. If I cannot finish and the work cannot wait, I will do some of it at home.
Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?
I had the desire to become a teacher since I was a teenager; however, I did not follow a straight path into education. After getting my master’s degree in political science, I began teaching American Government as an adjunct lecturer. It would be several years later that I would turn to mathematics. I had been tutoring math since my college days, so becoming a teacher seemed the obvious choice. After a few years at the Westport Day School, I joined the Spire School team in 2018.
What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?
My proudest moments are when I see my students graduating, and whenever I hear that college is proving to be a great experience for them. I would also add, whenever I hear that those students that chose a different path have found their niche and are happy because of it.
What is something about you that not many people know?
I would rather let people guess this one.
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