Cano Freshman Academy

ILC/ Tech Staff

A cartoon woman with dark hair waves and says 'HELLO'.

Debra Castillo - Library Media Specialist

Ms. Castillo earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) with an emphasis in Mathematics (Grades 6-8) and Kindergarten Endorsement (Pre-K-K) from Texas Tech University. She also attended University of Texas at Austin to complete her ESL Certification. Ms. Castillo earned her master's degree in Educational Technology from University of Texas at Brownsville. She completed her Administrator's Certification (Region 1 Cohort 1B) and Librarian's Certification from Texas A&M-Commerce.

Ms. Castillo has been in education for 38 years. She has worked as elementary teacher (PreK-3) and instructional coach, middle school teacher, Upward Bound counselor (juniors and seniors in high school and college students), and GEAR UP coordinator (middle school and high school students) all over the state of Texas and Colorado. For the past seven years, she has dedicated herself to working with staff and students and helping them meet their instructional and educational goals in content areas and technology at Dr. Cano Freshman Academy. Her goal is to encourage students to discover the pure joy and foster the passion for reading a good book just for enjoyment.

She has been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Julianna and Isabella.

Mrs. Trevino along with family moved back to the Rio Grande Valley after working in San Antonio for the Texas Department of Health for ten and a half years. She began her journey at Stuart Place Elementary in 2015 as a paraprofessional. After a couple of years, she was then transferred to Dr. Cano Freshman Academy as a SPED paraprofessional. When she had the opportunity to move into a library clerk position, she gladly accepted it. As a library clerk, Mrs. Trevino has the opportunity to interact with the students and the staff regarding their reading needs.

Mrs. Trevino truly enjoys working at Dr. Cano Freshman Academy with the students and staff.
Mrs. Hood joined the ILC staff at Dr. Cano Freshman Academy in the Fall of 2021. She has always enjoyed reading a good book and love helping students find a book that will ignite their own passion for reading and learning new things.

Mrs. Hood is a native of Arkansas but moved to Harlingen in 2005 with her husband and three children. Her children have grown up in the RGV and graduated from HCISD with her two youngest children being students at Cano their freshman year. Now she enjoys spending time with her husband, married children and grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes include baking, watching movies and camping with her family.