Ava Castillo
McAllen,TX
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Instructor I
City of McAllen
McAllen
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Designed age-specific activity plans that reduced downtime and boosted camper engagement with measurable improvements.
- Led weekly youth sports sessions for ages 3-12, teaching fundamentals and promoting safe play with observable skill gains.
- Established and taught inclusive behavior guidelines that decreased conflicts and improved group cooperation.
- Maintained weekly inventory of sports and craft supplies to prevent program shortages and ensure uninterrupted activities.
- Adapted games and drills for children with disabilities, enabling broader participation and improved inclusion outcomes.
- Implemented daily safety checks of equipment and facilities, reducing on-site hazards for participants.
- Developed individualized modification plans for games to match varying motor skills among participants.
- Led short instructional demonstrations teaching age-appropriate rules and techniques for new activity introductions.
Recreation Supervisor
City of McAllen
McAllen
04.2025 - Current
- Manage daily operations and staff at City of McAllen recreation programs, improving participant experiences.
- Communicate effectively with parents, staff, and community members to address questions, provide updates, and ensure smooth program operations.
- Monitor staff performance and provided guidance to maintain professionalism, teamwork, and high quality participant experiences.
- Collaborate with recreation coordinators and leadership to develop creative themes, games, and community centered events that increased participant engagement and satisfaction.
- Assist in training and supporting staff across a variety of recreational programs, helping employees adapt to different age groups, activities, and program requirements.
- Supervise daily operations for multiple recreational and summer camp programs.
- Oversee program organization, participant safety, and adherence to departmental policies while maintaining a positive and inclusive environment.
- Assist children with disabilities by providing individualized support, encouragement, and inclusive participation opportunities in recreational activities.
- Support and guide staff members as they adapt to different recreational programs, age groups, and participant needs.
Student Intern
Student Health and Success Initiative Lab
Edinburg
08.2025 - 12.2025
- Participated in the Student Health Success and Initiative Lab internship program, conducting health and performance assessments including InBody analysis, DEXA scans, hand-grip testing, and research data collection.
- Collaborated on research projects by analyzing health data, developing academic research posters, and presenting findings at professional and academic conferences.
- Recognized as a B3 Scholar for contributing to an InBody 770 research project and poster presentation focused on Hispanic cultural health perspectives and community centered research.
- Supported lead interns and faculty staff with daily lab operations, participant coordination, and community outreach activities.
- Led educational lab tours for visiting schools and student groups, introducing participants to exercise science, wellness strategies, and preventative health concepts.
- UTRGV Student Intern
Lead Intern
Student Health and Success Initiative Lab
Edinburg
01.2026 - 05.2026
- Lead Intern for the Student Health Success and Initiative Lab, overseeing daily lab responsibilities and supporting overall program operations.
- Mentored and trained new interns on research procedures, data collection methods, and professional presentation preparation.
- Guided interns through the InBody 770 Certification process and trained them on proper use of the InBody machine and additional health assessment equipment.
- Assisted interns in conducting body composition and wellness testing for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) participants and community members.
- Led a student research group in developing and presenting a research project at academic and professional conferences.
- Supported the coordination and organization of lab activities, ensuring smooth operations and effective teamwork among interns and staff.
- UTRGV Lead Intern
Timeline
Lead Intern
Student Health and Success Initiative Lab
01.2026 - 05.2026
Student Intern
Student Health and Success Initiative Lab
08.2025 - 12.2025
Recreation Supervisor
City of McAllen
04.2025 - Current
Recreation Instructor I
City of McAllen
01.2023 - 01.2025