About Me

Personal

Teresa “Terry” Castillo is an accomplished public servant, education advocate, and organizational development leader who has served on the Osceola County School Board since 2018. In 2021, she made history as the first Hispanic woman to serve as Chair of the Board. Her tenure has been defined by a commitment to equity, innovation, and student-centered policy with more than fifteen years of experience in Learning and Development, Terry has held roles as a facilitator, sales coach, and instructional designer for organizations such as Apple Inc., Florida Hospital, and Charter Communications. She currently serves as Senior Manager of Learning and Development at a health care organization where she leads a team of performance coaches and instructional designers.    

Professional

Born in Hialeah, Florida, Terry spent her childhood summers in the Dominican Republic, a cultural foundation that shaped her values of community, resilience, and service. She moved to Osceola County during her junior year of high school and proudly graduated from Gateway High School.

Her early career included hands-on experience in K–12 education as a tutor with the Valencia–Osceola GEAR Up partnership and as a psychology teacher at Freedom High School. These experiences continue to inform her student-first approach to policymaking.

A lifelong learner, Terry enjoys podcasts that challenge her thinking and broaden her perspective—including This American Life, Pivot, Freakonomics Radio, Hidden Brain, Radio Ambulante, and Making Sense. Her favorite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude, a novel she credits with shaping her appreciation for storytelling, identity, and the complexity of human experience.

Education

Terry is a proud product of the Osceola County School District. After graduating from Gateway High School, she earned:

A.A. in General Studies, Valencia College

A.S. in Digital Media, Valencia College

B.S. in Professional Studies (Legal Studies concentration), Barry University 

MBA, Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College (2021)

Her academic journey reflects her belief in lifelong learning and her commitment to expanding educational access for all students.

Board and Committee Memberships

• Terry’s leadership extends beyond the school board. She has served in numerous community and statewide roles, including:

  Florida School Board Association- Vice President

  Florida School Board Association- Treasurer 

  Florida School Board Association – Board of Directors

  FSBA Advocacy Committee, Legislative Subcommittee 

  FSBA Equity Committee, Vice-Chair

  Osceola County Education Foundation – Board of Directors

  Mercy Foundation – Education Lead

  Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College- PMBA Association – Career Enhancement & Community Service Chair

  Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College- Alumni Board 

   

  Her service reflects her dedication to strengthening educational ecosystems, supporting families, and building collaborative community partnerships.