Yennifer Castillo had taught middle school for four years, so she was anxious to start a new year as a high school teacher, but it all worked out in the end. She had always dreamt of becoming a teacher ever since she was around 7 or 8. Her dolls were her first students.
Upon reaching adulthood, she obtained a degree in biology education and currently teaches a range of subjects, including physical science, earth science, space science, and her most recent additions, environmental and marine sciences.
As she always does each summer for a new school year, she greeted her new class with her usual enthusiasm and decorations. She mentioned that she encountered the decorations from her childhood teachers.
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She told People, “One of my most vivid memories is in fifth grade, when we were learning about Greek mythology. One of my teachers put columns around the classroom and had togas. It was so cool and something I knew I wanted to implement when I started teaching. I teach a subject that can feel less engaging, so I wanted to build an environment that excites my students.”
Every year, she chooses a theme, brings in some humor, and connects it to her subject matter. Throughout the years, Castillo has created many entertaining themes, such as Beyoncé, Lilo & Stitch, Dexter’s Laboratory, and The Proud Family, which she says is her favorite.
Still, she thought it would be better to promote the cartoon Kim Possible this year because she is teaching environmental science and marine science.
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She stated, “In her theme song, she says she’s just an average girl and she’s here to save the world. I thought it was fitting and works great with the blue and green.”
The young teacher did it so well that Christy Carlson Romano, who played Kim Possible, shared the pictures, and gave Castillo credit for her efforts on TikTok.
Naturally artistic Castillo, however, believes it’s even more wonderful to watch her students’ excitement for the next school year because of her decorations.
“The students are excited to come to class. They know it’s not going to be just a standard, boring science class,” she said. “It’s very heartwarming because there are a lot of them that do recognize the cartoons. Then there are some where I do get the chance to teach them about it.”
She expressed, “I had my doubts. I was like, ‘Oh my God, they’re going to think I’m doing too much.’ But they really appreciate it. I heard them talking in the hall leading up to my classroom, which has a window where you can see inside. One was like, ‘I think I’m gonna like this.’ And those are the kinds of things that just make my heart soar. Before they’ve even heard me speak or received the syllabus, they already have it in their mind they’ll enjoy this class.”
When Castillo first began developing her artistic classrooms—in one of the few schools that children could attend in person during the pandemic—she decided to document the process on Twitter. She now uses Twitter, TikTok, and other platforms to share the designs she makes every year.
Her technique fascinated people when she shared her second-year Proud Family classroom with them. Castillo eventually launched an Etsy site where she offers copies that help other instructors bring bold, creative ideas to their classes.
She advised, “One thing I do want other teachers to know, with the limited budgets and salaries that we get, is that you should always strive to do what you can. I always look for affordable ways to do what I can do myself. When it comes to decorating with the characters, there aren’t always things you can easily find and pay for, so it’s cool to make your own things. I’d say look for the things you can do yourself to save some money.”
“Also, make sure you do it for yourself. Don’t listen to anyone else. Don’t listen to people who say you’re doing too much. I believe that our students, truthfully, have had some of their childhoods taken from them growing up during COVID. So many had to grow up faster, and because of quarantine, they didn’t get that bright, colorful elementary or middle school experience,” Castillo added.
She said that she wished she could put up more decorations, but instructors are underpaid to do so.
“I wouldn’t be able to go and do it as big as I do if it wasn’t for the support I get from monetization and my wish list,” she observed. “You’re not any less if you can’t. At the end of the day, we’re here to teach, and there are other ways we can make it fun.”
