This week, CAST Schools Deputy Director Jen Maestas and I attended the Aurora Institute conference in New Orleans, where Jen presented CAST’s approach to youth voice and purpose-driven education along with our longtime partner nXu. At the conference, Author Rhonda Broussard shared her work as an interviewer had taught her that inquiry and curiosity were… Continue reading Incorporating Youth Voice into CAST’s Processes

This month, CAST STEM hosted a panel of students who held summer internships at San Antonio’s Toyota Motor Manufacturing. As a parent of teens myself, my jaw hit the floor as students recounted weeks of getting up at the crack of dawn. Literally, Jason Eslora said: “I was not expecting to wake up at 4:15… Continue reading Manufacturing Takes off in San Antonio!

The Advanced Learning Academy held its Noche Musical de Los Muertos event on October 24th, 2024. This event celebrates the many aspects of what makes ALA the school it is today. The main programs the event showcased were the Mariachi, Dance, Band and Theater programs. Throughout the event, each of these programs showed the community… Continue reading ALA Holds ‘Noche Musical de Los Muertos’ Event

Early voting kicked off this week in Texas! Like education, voting is key to a strong democracy.   With all the ads, noise, and partisanship, it’s tough to separate fact from fiction. Even as educators, it can be confusing to know which levels of government most impact our schools. This November’s ballot is packed, so… Continue reading Get Your Vote on!

Last year, the CAST nonprofit board encouraged me to participate in executive coaching, and at the end of the process, my coach encouraged me to craft a vision statement. It read:  I am a Torch Bearer for the wisdom of youth. My infection belief inspires others to believe, unite, & act. Having faith in our… Continue reading Who Is Your Tourch-Bearer?

CAST Schools was initially born out of an industry-led effort that also led to SA Worx, which is now an arm of Greater SATX. Roughly 10 years ago, a small group of business leaders and consultants sought to understand where our education system and jobs were potentially not speaking to each other. We started with… Continue reading Building Pre-Apprenticeships at CAST

Readers of our newsletter will know that CAST Schools announced last June that we were working with the San Antonio ISD (SAISD) to open a new elementary campus on the East Side.   The school is intended to build on the success of the Pre-K-12 Advanced Learning Academy (ALA), which typically has a wait list… Continue reading An Update about CAST’s New East Side School