We are currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cohort of our Principal Pathway residency program. Entering its sixth year, this program has proven to be in a league of its own, providing individualized development and coaching under the guidance of a campus Lead Principal and the Leadership Development team. The application deadline is Sunday, October 29, 2023. 

To learn more about the success and impact the residency program has had on a past participant, we reached out to Antonio “Tony” Castillo. He shared more about his experience in the program and how it has shaped him into the successful leader he is today. 

Tony, can you first start off by introducing yourself and how you came to YES Prep? 

My name is Tony Castillo and I’m from Houston. For grade school, I attended HISD for first and second grade. Afterwards, I attended the remaining grade levels in the now defunct North Forest ISD. I graduated high school from M.B. Smiley High School in 2005 and attended Rice University where I graduated from in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science (Geology).  

YES Prep has been my only employer, my first job straight out of college, and I learned about YES through my school’s career resource center. 

You have been with YES for over a decade! Can you share what hats you’ve worn during this time?  

I joined YES Prep in July 2009 and came to work at YES due to my desire to serve and educate students. I am currently in my 15th year at YES. Among the titles I’ve served are teacher, director of recommitment room, leadership support specialist, principal, lead principal, executive principal and now head of schools.  

Why did you decide to apply for the Principal Pathway residency program? 

My path to becoming a principal has not been a traditional one. After my first stint as a principal was not successful, I was demoted to assistant principal. I then honed my skills and decided to apply to learn and become a better principal the second time around. I was part of the first cohort of resident principals back in 2018-2019. I knew that I needed to figure out my authentic leadership style, reflect on what worked and didn’t work during my first stint as principal. Joining Principal Pathway allowed that to happen in a safe yet challenging environment.  

Can you share more about your experience in the program? 

I was mentored, coached and developed through multiple people within the program that were either leaders or peers. This network of individuals was important in my growth. When I joined the founding cohort, the leader of the program was Charlie Schmidt. He invested in each resident and tailored his approach to ensure we had an equitable and appropriate plan of action to develop. Not every leader is built the same and thus needs a unique pathway to grow. And our current program leader, Eileen Galligan, continues to do the same for the resident principals. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my year as a resident. I had a fun cohort and learned some maxims of leadership and coaching that have stuck with me to this day. 

What was your biggest takeaway from the program?  

Some of the biggest takeaways were: “You are responsible for nothing and accountable for everything.” “Your job is to do nothing.” “I am the CEO of my school.” “Lead through people.” 

As leaders of their schools, I know principals have A LOT going on. For many it would be surprising to hear the first two statements. Can you elaborate? 

These comments may seem controversial at first read. It did to me as well; however, when you are a principal, your main job is to grow and develop your direct reports in order for them to lead their departments. You need to have a bird’s eye view of your campus and understand all facets of running a school. Sometimes, when you stay in the weeds for too long, you lose sight of the vision and big picture and your people. The program helped me sharpen my leader mindset and allowed me to name, own and be unapologetic about my values as a leader and person.  

Any last thoughts for people considering applying for the Principal Pathway residency program?  

If you desire to do this very difficult work, and do it well, this program is for you. This residency program helps you discover how you will best serve your students and families and how to make yourself and those around you better. 

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Thank you, Tony, for sharing your experience, and congratulations on being the first resident principal to be promoted to Head of Schools.  

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the Principal Pathway program, make sure to visit our Principal Pathway residency program webpage at yesprep.org/principalpathway. The deadline to submit an application is Sunday, October 29, 2023.