Blanca Osorio-Castillo Fiscal Year 2024 Staff Photo
Blanca Osorio-Castillo has dedicated 15 years to the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, serving as an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at all three elementary schools (in the Amherst District). She has called Crocker Farm Elementary home since 2015. Her passion for supporting multilingual students and their families has made her an invaluable member of the school community.
Blanca’s peers describe her as an “untiring advocate” for ELL families, highlighting her ability to connect with Spanish-speaking students and their families through her own bilingualism. She provides research-based literacy instruction that is culturally responsive and works tirelessly to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of her students. For years, Blanca has championed Latinx Heritage Month with engaging activities, such as family gatherings, cultural events, bulletin boards, and more! Her efforts helped amplify the voices of the Crocker Farm Latino community.
When asked what inspires her, Blanca said her work is fueled by the connections she shares with her students as an English learner herself. She views literacy as both a fundamental skill and a social justice issue, driving her commitment to ensuring every student learns to read and succeeds as they develop their language skills.
Blanca takes great joy in witnessing the progress her students make over time, often working with them for more than two years. She values the strong relationships she builds with her students and their families and feels fortunate to be part of a collaborative and supportive community at Crocker Farm, where multilingualism is celebrated and respected.