Courtney Castelhano Named New AJUSD Manager of Curriculum

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - May 6, 2019 - PRLog -- Cactus Canyon Junior High Principal, Courtney Castelhano was recently named Apache Junction Unified School District's new Manager of Curriculum. She will begin her new position July 1 and will be joining the Educational Services department and focus on improving systems and supports for district students to help increase achievement at the junior high and high school.

Mrs. Castelhano will be working closely with the Educational Services Team to ensure district students have an aligned curriculum as they move through the district's schools. The Gold Canyon resident has experience in a variety of school positions. She taught at Four Peaks Elementary, was a counselor at Peralta Trail Elementary, served as coordinator and Director of Special Education for AJUSD for three years and has worked as the principal for CCJH for the past seven years.

Mrs. Castelhano supported the implementation of AVID, the Advancement Via Individual Determination program this school year with an AVID Site Leadership Team. The goal at Cactus Canyon is to become AVID School-wide certified by 2020. She has conducted various book studies and supported professional development with staff throughout the school years. Professional Development focus areas include growth mindset, engagement strategies, effective elements of instruction, and relationship building with students to continue to foster a positive school culture.  In February 2019 she received the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA) Outstanding Administrator Award.

"Change is a part of growth and continuous improvement," said Mrs. Castelhano, who has worked for the district for 22 out of the 24 years she has been in education. "This position allows me to continue working with AJUSD teachers and students from the district level using the experience I have gained as the principal of Cactus Canyon Junior High. I appreciate the opportunity to work with a great district team to support all of our secondary teachers and students."

Chad Cantrell, principal at FPES, will be taking over as principal at CCJH for the 2019-2020 school year.