Ami Cortes-Castillo
Educational Leader
Austin,TX
Summary
Perceptive educator committed to educational equity and developmentally appropriate practices for early learning. Passion for designing programs to support young children in setting foundation for life-long success. Solid record of accomplishment in attaining and surpassing targets during 26-year career including designing systems to meet needs of diverse students. Organized with exceptional work ethic and dedication to developing partnerships to support vision for early learning.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Vice President, Early Learning
Greater Austin YMC
Austin, TX
10.2022 - 01.2025
- Managed seven pre-schools serving 135 children and families
- Established performance goals for department and provided methods for reaching milestones.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Clarified roles, responsibilities and expectations of staff.
- Developed strategic approaches to foster appropriate child development.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Implemented tracking tools to evaluate successes and areas in need of improvement.
- Spearheaded the strategic vision for YMCA Early Learning, positioning it as the premier provider of early learning services in Greater Austin with a focus on exceptional outcomes for children and families.
- Advanced the organization's Early Learning strategy by driving programmatic quality, consistency, growth, and innovation.
- Established and nurtured strategic partnerships and collaborations to implement innovative early learning models and enhance program delivery.
- Oversaw third-party agreements, including MOUs, consulting contracts, and vendor partnerships, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Directed the development and implementation of educational curricula, securing resources to support system-wide program success.
- Identified and evaluated new approaches to early learning, fostering shared best practices applicable regionally and nationally.
- Supported fundraising efforts by partnering with Advancement Officers to secure financial sponsorships and philanthropic support for underserved centers.
- Collaborated with grant managers to write grants, establish evaluation metrics, and drive continuous improvement through research-based insights.
- Led strategic fiscal management in partnership with finance leadership, managing integrated budgets and ensuring compliance with early learning models.
- Cultivated an inclusive, communicative, and transparent internal staff culture, prioritizing high performance, accountability, and best practices.
- Attracted and retained top Early Learning talent by implementing robust coaching, feedback, and employee development opportunities.
- Modeled inclusive leadership and built diverse, high-performing teams aligned with the organization's mission and DEI objectives.
- Implemented OKR methodology to establish and achieve strategic goals and objectives across Early Learning programs.
- Conducted regular check-ins with direct reports, providing feedback, development opportunities, and performance evaluations.
- Provided operational support for programs, classrooms, and center staffing as needed to ensure continuity and quality service delivery.
Principal
Elgin ISD
07.2021 - 06.2022
- Managed over forty staff including administration, teacher and classified staff.
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
- Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information and assess employee thoughts.
- Encouraged interdepartmental and cross-functional teams collaboration in development and support of student activities, programs and lessons.
- Prepared school budget and submitted to school board with recommendations for hiring, capital expenditures and cost-saving initiatives.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Administered personnel policies and procedures for school faculty and staff.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote teaching staff and administrative personnel's positive interaction with students and families.
Director Early Childhood
Austin ISD
04.2018 - 06.2021
- Led Early Childhood Fellowship that focused on identifying critical system goals of improvement in early childhood leading to development of early childhood strategic plan
- Oversaw redesign of developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for kindergarten-second grade including identification of essential TEKS and integration of core subjects with goal of creating authentic student-centered learning experiences
- Directed and oversaw design and development of curriculum courses for grades PreK- second grade utilizing district LMS to support remote and concurrent teaching
- Developed and secured over seven million dollars in grants focused on supporting expansion of high quality PreK and early learning programs across city
- Developed proposal to improve class ratios in PreK classrooms across district with implementation to begin in 2021-2022
- Led student enrollment project that focused on improving user experience leading to implementation of new tools to improve system
- Assisted with creation of marketing strategy and advertising initiatives to increase PreK enrollment
- Developed impactful and strategic partnerships with community stakeholders to expand full day PreK 3 opportunities including SB 1882 in-district Prek innovation partnerships and partnership with City of Austin
- Expansion of tuition PreK enrollment to over 640 students in 2019-20
- Created innovative professional development to meet high quality requirements for PreK teachers
- Led professional learning for campus administrators to increase knowledge of early childhood programming
Principal
Austin ISD
06.2012 - 04.2018
- Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote to teaching staff and administrative personnel positive interaction with students and families
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards
- Developed five year PreK teacher professional development progression for teachers at Lucy Read which increased consistency of programming and high quality PreK classrooms across campus
- Successfully implemented Texas Literacy Initiative Grant with emphasis on Prekindergarten which included implementing data meetings at BOY, MOY, and EOY, developing campus wide strategies to support phonemic awareness and writing skills at PreK level. This resulted in consistent overall growth in end of year assessment data
- Developed strong special education Pre School Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) program with emphasis on inclusion with two co-teach classrooms that resulted in classrooms being preferred site for student teachers and demonstration visits
- Managed creation, design and installation of innovative outdoor learning space that has been showcased as premiere demonstration of use natural environment for young children
- Shifted school culture with emphasis on Conscious Discipline as philosophical approach to discipline, including leading five yearlong studies of Conscious Discipline with faculty
- Developed partnerships with community organizations including Head Start, YMCA (Early Learning Readiness, Swimming Program and After-school Program), Boy Scouts of America, VSA Texas, Collin's Hope, United Way and Americore
- Successfully implemented Kellogg Foundation "Families as Partners" Grant for Austin ISD
- Led numerous early childhood professional development sessions on Conscious Discipline and Social Emotional Learning for Austin ISD Early Childhood Department
Assistant Principal
Austin ISD
08.2002 - 06.2012
- Oversaw administrative functions such as schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration and related activities
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification
- Built and maintained positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as parents, school volunteers and outside agencies
- Partnered with Principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Organized and conducted instructional data conferences for teachers in PK-5 to monitor curriculum planning, student progress, and intervention for struggling learners
- Chaired Discipline Cadre and Positive Behavior Support Team to create and maintain school wide system for discipline management
- Led professional learning for district administrators on Foundations/Positive Behavior Supports implementation at Oak Springs Elementary
- Served as Oak Springs Summer School Principal, Summer 2004-designed, organized and implemented summer program for struggling 1st and 2nd grade students
Education
Hours For Master's of Education - Educational Administration
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TXMaster of Education - Elementary Education
Lesley University
Cambridge, MABachelor of Arts - History
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TXSkills
Equity Focused
Multitasking Abilities
Flexible & Adaptable
Leadership and Team Building
Strategic Planning
Verbal and Written Communication
Problem-Solving
Collaboration
Professional Development
Affiliations
Texas Association of Administrators and Supervisors of Programs for Young Children (TAASPYC) Board President 2020-2021, President Elect 2018-2020
CIty of Austin Early Childhood Council, 2018-2021
United Way PreK Partnership Board Member, 2019-2021
United Way Success by 6 Leadership Team, 2018-2021
Success by 6 Equity Team, 2021
United Way 2-Gen Leadership Team, 2018-2021
Principal's Council on Race and Equity, 2013-2018
Early Childhood Council, 2013
Leap of Joy Board President, 2016-2018
National Association of Education of Young Children, member
Timeline
Associate Vice President, Early Learning
Greater Austin YMC
10.2022 - 01.2025
Principal
Elgin ISD
07.2021 - 06.2022
Director Early Childhood
Austin ISD
04.2018 - 06.2021
Principal
Austin ISD
06.2012 - 04.2018
Assistant Principal
Austin ISD
08.2002 - 06.2012
Hours For Master's of Education - Educational Administration
University of Texas at Austin
Master of Education - Elementary Education
Lesley University
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Texas At Austin
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