The Paw Print

By Alexa Gola, Editor-in-Chief

Already spotted roaming the halls, advising student clubs and poking into classrooms, Payton’s new assistant principal Mr. Castelaz is on a mission to connect with the school community. 

Castelaz has spent a number of years in Chicago Public Schools. Before coming to Payton, he was an elementary school principal and later, an education consultant who focused on leadership development. 

“While I enjoyed that work, I felt a calling to come back to school and work as a school leader again,” he said. “I noticed this particular position, and thought it would be an interesting opportunity.”

He said got to know Principal Shabazz before he and the leadership team agreed that he was a good fit, landing him at Payton. 

“The thing I love about Payton is the variety of opportunities that students have here,” he said. Castelaz said he had just spent the enrichment period with the Hack Club, and was also helped to form an ACLU club at Payton. 

“As an elementary school principal, I helped form a graphic novel club with a group of students,” Castelaz said. His students, interested in  anime, manga and superheroes, wanted a place where they could read and discuss together. “I think it’s important for students to have those sorts of outlets that happened outside of the traditional classroom experience.”

While he does not want to overcommit himself, he said, “ I want to be involved with clubs here in a way that will bring students those kinds of experiences, especially when it comes to social justice and something like the ACLU.”

In addition to helping students found and lead clubs, Castelaz has also been spending time in the hallways in an effort to get to know Payton culture. “I need to get to know students, let them see me,” he said of his hallway endeavors. “Some students have come up to me and introduced themselves, gone out of their way to say hello. Sometimes I will do the same.”

Castelaz also makes an effort to greet students during arrival and dismissal times. 

“I don’t know that six months from now, I’ll do it as much,” he said. “But I will always do it because I think it’s important for administrators to be as supportive as they can. One of the ways I know to do that is to try to be present in those places.”

Castelaz reflected on his role as administrator as being to be a part of and support the Payton student community. He said that the autonomy Payton offers students is terrific, and that he hopes to support students in their endeavors, whether that might be airing their grievances or expressing their creativity through new clubs and student organizations.