Throughout her time in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, Anna Castro (B.S.Ed. ’26) got involved in the University of Georgia and Athens communities by volunteering at the elementary schools where she completed her practicum and holding leadership roles in Alpha Gamma Delta at UGA and the College’s Student Ambassador program.
- Hometown: Tampa, Florida
- Degree objective and graduation date: B.S.Ed. in elementary education, spring 2026
My entire life, I’ve grown up hearing the beloved phrase “Go Dawgs!” My mom attended UGA for her undergraduate degree and is incredibly passionate about the Dawg community, so UGA was always on my list of schools I wanted to look at. When the time came to tour colleges, she and I made UGA our first stop. It sounds cliche, but there truly was no competition once I stepped onto campus. I was instantly drawn to the tight-knit community, wide range of opportunities to get involved, and academic rigor that Georgia had to offer. Every memory on campus and every interaction I’ve had with people at this school have served as reassurance that it was absolutely the right choice to attend UGA, and I haven’t looked back since.
I’ve known ever since I was a little girl that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I’ve always loved school—so much so that I would often play “teacher” with my stuffed animals as a kid— and I’m grateful to have had teachers who developed and nurtured that love of learning. Teaching allows me to be creative with lessons, encourage others to persevere through challenges, and build supportive relationships with everyone in the school community. The ability to connect with others is one of my favorite parts about teaching; pouring my heart into education is something that helps me feel connected to my grandmother, who was a fourth-grade teacher for nearly 20 years and to whom I attribute much of my love for teaching. She would tell the most wonderful stories about her days in the classroom, and I simply couldn’t wait to step into my own classroom one day to leave a far-reaching impact on kids’ lives, just like she did!
What drew you to the College’s Student Ambassador program, and what is your favorite part about being an ambassador?
My first experience with the Mary Frances Early College of Education Student Ambassador program occurred after I was first accepted to UGA. I toured the College of Education with my dad, and the student ambassador who was helping lead the tour not only took the time to answer the countless questions I had but also asked me questions in return about what I was looking for at UGA and within the College. We instantly connected over our passion for helping others through our careers and finding a church home in Athens, and her excitement about everything she’d gotten involved in during her time at UGA made me equally excited to pursue similar opportunities. The interaction I had with her was such a testament to the tight-knit community within the College; she made me feel more than welcome, and I knew I wanted to provide that same opportunity for others to find their people in the College of Education.
My favorite part about being an ambassador is the genuine connections you’re able to form with other ambassadors, faculty members in the College, alumni, and so many more. The student ambassador program has led me to such an incredible group of people who inspire me to seek new challenges, lift me up when I’m having a hard time, and celebrate every success with me. Taking on an executive position this year has allowed me to continue fostering these relationships, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as a pillar of support for the hardworking group that helps make the College such an amazing place. They truly are the heart of the College of Education, and I’ve cherished my time getting to know each and every one of the incredible ambassadors who pour their all into the College.
Tell me about your volunteer work with The Branch Academy Learning Center and Bramlett Elementary School.
Back home in Florida, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to serve pre-K-5 students at The Branch Academy Learning Center through day school, after-the-bell care, and summer camps. Through this rich experience, I’ve prioritized play-based learning and fostered meaningful relationships with students. We’ve explored the life cycle of butterflies through creating butterfly gardens, studied the planets in our solar system through songs and drama performances, and built our very own 3-D city as we learned about economics and the buildings that cities require to function (such as a power plant or City Hall). My time at Branch is especially dear to my heart because I’ve gotten to work alongside a couple of my former elementary teachers, who have supported and celebrated me throughout every season of my life. I learned many things from them when I was their student, but now getting to learn a whole new wheelhouse of skills from them as a future teacher has been such a joyful experience!
I’ve spent three semesters at Bramlett Elementary completing my practicum and full-time student teaching experiences, and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful community there. From my first day at the school, I felt nothing short of welcomed and appreciated. Every teacher has a genuine passion for working with students, and the administration provides an immense amount of support. Through my experiences in fourth-grade and third-grade classes at Bramlett, I’ve gotten to plan creative lessons that consider students’ individual learning needs with a wide range of support from my amazing mentor teachers. I’ve implemented the classroom management strategies I learned in my UGA classes and experimented with flexibility in those strategies based on students’ needs. I’ve even gotten to attend school-related activities outside of the classroom, such as the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, and witnessed the importance of supporting students’ interests. I am finishing up my full-time student teaching at Bramlett this semester with a grateful heart, a wide range of skills and experience, and excitement about jumping into the classroom.
What has been your favorite class in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, and why?
My favorite class in the College has been EDEL 7040, mainly because of Dr. Elizabeth Saylor. I’ve learned a wide variety of classroom management strategies from her that I can implement during my full-time student teaching experience, which has been incredibly helpful. Dr. Saylor truly cares for her students and has been very supportive throughout the busy season that is student teaching. She is a great example of what it means to pour your heart into teaching, and she brings her witty, caring, and wise personality to class every day. They say it’s the best teachers you remember the most, and Dr. Saylor is certainly one of those!
Why are you passionate about pursuing a career in education?
The College of Education has provided me with wonderful opportunities to not only further my own love for learning, but also to have real, hands-on experiences that foster that passion in kids as well. I love sharing my ideas and talents with people, and teaching allows me to express those ideas and talents in creative ways. I can engage kids in a lesson about fractions using Hershey bars or challenge them to write the next chapter of a story and watch their own ideas come to life. It’s such a joy getting to see them develop the same love and excitement for learning that I feel when stepping into the classroom every day. Above all, I cherish the connections I form with students and families. It’s a special opportunity to teach kids because you’re teaching so much more than just content. No day in the classroom is exactly the same, but every day is a chance to grow and make meaningful memories.
What are your plans following graduation?
I will stick around UGA for another year to pursue my M.Ed. in elementary education and gifted in-field certification while teaching full-time.