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Evelyn, Principal at Legacy College Prep- Ednovate Charter Schools: Advize Career Interview

A Legacy College Prep principal's journey began with high school mentoring and Teach for America recruiting at UC Santa Barbara, fueled by a triple major in Women's Studies, Sociology, and Spanish.

Seven years leading a high school, a role encompassing instruction, student support, and operations, reveals a career built on emotional intelligence, strategic vision, and motivating a team.

Daily life involves early morning check-ins, meetings, classroom observations, and event preparation, all while addressing student and staff needs.

The most rewarding aspects include witnessing student transformation and collaboration with a dedicated team, although navigating post-COVID mental health challenges and providing individualized teacher support present significant hurdles.

Success in education requires passion, resilience, teamwork, and adaptability, with emotional intelligence identified as a crucial skill to develop. Entry-level roles span instruction, student wellness, and operations.

A key lesson learned emphasizes stakeholder buy-in for successful leadership.

The interviewee's identity as a first-generation college student and woman of color deeply influenced their journey, highlighting the importance of mentorship and self-awareness in overcoming challenges.

The opportunity to shape young lives and empower the next generation drives this impactful career.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Evelyn Castro

Principal

Legacy College Prep- Ednovate Charter Schools

UC Santa Barbara, 2009

Loyola Marymount University- Masters in Administration and Admin Credential

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Anthropology, Sociology, Ethnic & Related Studies

Education

Education

Honors Student, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Principal at Legacy College Prep Ednovate Charter Schools

Evelyn's career path began with three years mentoring and tutoring high school students while at UC Santa Barbara, "supporting students at the high school level" in math and Avid classes. This experience, along with recruiting for Teach for America during their senior year, directly informed their current role as a Principal at Legacy College Prep- Ednovate Charter Schools.

Career Path of a Principal at Legacy College Prep Ednovate Charter Schools

Main Responsibilities of a Principal at Legacy College Prep

Evelyn, a high school principal at Legacy College Prep, describes their main responsibilities as encompassing "a little bit of everything," from collaborating with a 36-member team on instruction, student support, and school operations, to supporting the approximately 400 students and their families at the school. This reflects Evelyn's seven years of experience leading the school since its 2016 opening.

Main Responsibilities of a Principal at Legacy College Prep

A Day In The Life Of A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate Charter Schools

A principal's day begins early with "a quick pulse check" on staff and students, ensuring preparedness and a welcoming environment. The remainder of the day involves a mix of meetings—including coaching sessions and parent consultations—classroom observations, and preparation for upcoming events and team meetings, all while supporting students and staff.

A Day In The Life Of A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate Charter Schools

Most Important Skills For a Principal at Legacy College Prep Ednovate

Evelyn, a principal at Legacy College Prep, emphasizes emotional intelligence as the most crucial skill, stating it's "number one" for navigating relationships with staff, teachers, and parents. The ability to "set strong visions," create strategic plans, and "influence and motivate" others to achieve shared goals are also highlighted as essential leadership competencies in their role.

Most Important Skills For a Principal at Legacy College Prep Ednovate

Favorite Parts Of Being A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate

Evelyn, a Principal at Legacy College Prep, most enjoys witnessing "the impact of the programming on students' futures," particularly the transformative growth from ninth grade to senior year, culminating in college acceptances and scholarships. This rewarding work is further enhanced by collaborating with a "school team...moving in the same direction" to provide high-quality education.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate

Evelyn's greatest challenge as a principal is addressing the significant "outside factors" impacting student well-being, particularly the mental health needs arising post-COVID, requiring creative solutions and community partnerships. A further challenge involves personalizing support for teachers at various career stages, requiring a nuanced approach beyond a "one size fits all" model, a task made complex by limited resources.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate

Favorite Parts of Working in the Education Industry As a Principal

Evelyn, a Principal at Legacy College Prep, finds the most rewarding aspect of the education field to be "the opportunity to shape the future," believing that working with children allows for meaningful influence and the planting of seeds that foster students' strengths and abilities. This passion for empowering the next generation is clearly a driving force in their career.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Education Industry As a Principal

Who Thrives In Education, According To A Principal At Legacy College Prep

Evelyn, a Principal at Legacy College Prep, highlights passion and resilience as crucial for success in education, stating that "this work is really really challenging." Furthermore, the ability to embrace teamwork, flexibility, and continuous growth, adapting to "new opportunities and new challenges," are essential traits for thriving in this demanding field.

Who Thrives In Education, According To A Principal At Legacy College Prep

What A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Education Industry

Evelyn, a school principal, wished for more prior training on emotional intelligence, emphasizing its crucial role in leadership. The importance of "knowing yourself," understanding one's strengths and limitations, and supporting others in the same way are key lessons learned through experience in this career.

What A Principal At Legacy College Prep Ednovate Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Education Industry

Entry-level positions for aspiring Educators at Legacy College Prep

Evelyn, a Principal at Legacy College Prep, highlights diverse entry-level opportunities in education, suggesting that aspiring professionals should "go based off of what your passion around education is." These opportunities span instruction ("tutoring, mentoring"), student wellness (counseling, social work), and operations ("Logistics and planning," data management, and front office work).

Entry-level positions for aspiring Educators at Legacy College Prep

Significant Career Lesson From a Principal at Legacy College Prep

Evelyn, a school principal, emphasizes the critical importance of "stakeholder buy-in" in leadership, especially securing "staff buy-in" before making decisions. This involves "leveraging their voice" and "involving them in the process" to ensure successful implementation and positive outcomes.

Significant Career Lesson From a Principal at Legacy College Prep

College Experiences That Helped a Principal at Legacy College Prep Succeed

Evelyn's diverse undergraduate majors in women's studies, sociology, and Spanish provided a foundation for a career in education, with sociology informing their understanding of "how students of color experience societal and structural challenges". Campus organization involvement led to community service opportunities and a part-time job tutoring and mentoring high school students, solidifying their passion for the field.

College Experiences That Helped a Principal at Legacy College Prep Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Principal at Legacy College Prep Ednovate’s Career

Evelyn's experience as a first-generation college student and woman of color significantly shaped their career path, marked by initial struggles with "imposter syndrome" and a lack of representation as "the only school leader who identified as a woman". Overcoming these challenges involved self-awareness, seeking mentorship from those sharing similar identities, and embracing discomfort through continuous professional development and challenging experiences.

How Identity Has Influenced a Principal at Legacy College Prep Ednovate’s Career
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