Paul Castro

Paul Castro is an advocate for merging the art and science of leadership through impactful learning and coaching. With a 29-year career, Paul has demonstrated his commitment to education in various roles. He served as both a teacher and principal within a traditional school system, provided management and coaching within a nationwide charter system, coached district and school leaders through a non-profit organization, and orchestrated the design and launch of an inner-city Houston charter school focused on delivering a premium education without cost barriers.

Paul's skill as an executive leadership coach for the KIPP Foundation stands out, as he assisted leaders across the United States in crafting comprehensive school launch plans and refining their management and leadership proficiencies. At Houston A+ Challenge, he developed tailored content for various school districts in the Houston region, catering to the unique needs of each client. Paul knows that effective educational leadership necessitates personal growth and adept interpersonal skills, which is why he focuses on nurturing the soft skills that elevate managers into true leaders.

Throughout his career, Paul has studied classroom instructional and assessment practices. His expertise has led him to be a presenter on classroom practices and secured his appointment as a commissioner for the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability, selected by the state's Lieutenant Governor in 2016.

As a seasoned startup leader, Paul has undertaken pivotal roles in launching schools. He served as an associate dean for the opening of a high school, was selected to be the founding principal role for a middle school in Houston ISD, and orchestrated the conception and launch of a charter school as both founder and superintendent. During his tenure at KIPP Houston, he effectively managed and guided two founders in successfully opening new high schools. In 2013, he led a team to design a free public charter school in Houston, earning approval by the state board of education and the state education agency. 

Paul's contributions have garnered substantial recognition and support for his charter school endeavors. His school secured funding from esteemed organizations such as the Walton Family Foundation, NewSchools Venture Fund, The Brown Foundation, and the Elkins Family Foundation. These backers acknowledge the importance of fostering inclusive and empowering school cultures, a vision that Paul has realized through his efforts at A+UP.

Educationally, Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. He further honed his expertise through completion of the KIPP School Leadership Program in New York, a milestone that led to his selection as a member of the Fisher Foundation Selection Committee.