Elizabeth Castro

• Led strategic initiatives aligned with the DoD's "Taking Care of People" strategy, enhancing programs supporting military families.
• Developed and executed policy recommendations to improve child and youth development programs, impacting over 4 million beneficiaries.
• Spearheaded a collaboration with the Military Community Support Program (MCSP), PFLAG, and Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) to develop and deliver virtual training for Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC), serving LGBTQ+ military families worldwide.
• Managed 1,300+ action items annually, ensuring timely program execution and operational efficiency.
• Prepared high-level briefings for senior leadership, driving strategic decisions to improve military family support services.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align project objectives with organizational goals.
• Facilitated stakeholder meetings to gather requirements and improve communication channels.
• Provided strategic recommendations on program effectiveness, focusing on youth and military family services.
• Designed and implemented process improvements to optimize program delivery and evaluation.
• Liaised with external stakeholders, including schools, DoD agencies, and community organizations, to align educational programs with strategic goals.

VOLUNTEER ROLE

• Provided strategic oversight for PFLAG's fundraising efforts, contributing to the $115K digital campaign, $91K in donor renewals, and securing over $150K in corporate and foundation donations.
• Guided PFLAG’s military family advocacy, supporting training for 1,000 Military Family Life Counselors and impacting 3.89 million service members and families.
• Played a key role in monitoring chapter expansion, facilitating 136 new chapter inquiries and overseeing 30+ new groups.
• Contributed to advocacy training and resource development for military families, including the creation of military family support resources for LGBTQ+ families.

VOLUNTEER ROLE

• Provided strategic guidance for UTR’s efforts, contributing to the connection of 3 million military family membersthrough shared storytime, promoting emotional bonds during deployments.
• Advised on program strategies that resulted in 93% of families reporting stronger bonds, 98% citing UTR as critical for family readiness, and 90% seeing an increase in children’s love of reading.
• Actively advocated for UTR’s mission by sharing posts on social media platforms to encourage donations and engagement from military communities, and volunteered alongside my family to record stories and podcasts for military children, contributing to UTR’s efforts to strengthen literacy and family bonds.

Key Roles:

28 Years in Education | 26 Years in the Classroom

• Taught in diverse educational settings, including dual language immersion, bilingual/ESOL, and special education programs, in both the U.S. and overseas (Okinawa, Japan; Dominican Republic).
• Led curriculum development and school improvement initiatives, focusing on academic growth and student success across multiple grade levels.
• Mentored colleagues and facilitated professional development programs, enhancing teaching strategies and instructional effectiveness.
• Collaborated with families and communities to ensure support for military-connected children, ensuring they received the resources needed for academic success.
• Coordinated and assessed educational programs, ensuring alignment with state standards and DoDEA guidelines, while adapting strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
• ESOL Specialist | Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, Okinawa, Japan
• Fourth Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher | London Towne Elementary School, Centreville, VA
• Dual Language Teacher | Kendall Elementary School, Boerne, TX
• Site Literacy Lead Teacher | Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, Okinawa, Japan
• Continuous School Improvement Leadership Team Member | Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, Okinawa, Japan
• Two-Way Spanish Immersion Teacher | L.A. Morgan Elementary School, Galveston, TX

• Advised the U.S. Ambassador and embassy leadership on family readiness and quality of life issues for diplomatic families, contributing to policy recommendations that enhanced family programs.
• Developed and implemented community engagement initiatives, including cultural exchange programs, educational opportunities, and morale-boosting events that fostered strong connections between U.S. families and the local community.
• Established and maintained relationships with local stakeholders, including schools, non-profits, and government organizations, to ensure support for U.S. embassy families and build positive community partnerships.
• Organized large-scale events and programs for U.S. families, including educational workshops, support services, and networking opportunities, contributing to the overall well-being of the diplomatic community.
• Provided strategic guidance to embassy leadership on the education and welfare of U.S. children in the area, ensuring access to resources and programs that supported their development.