Brittany Castillow recently finished her fifth year of teaching first grade at Daphne Elementary School, but her relationship with the school goes back a lot further than that.

“I’m a Daphne kid through and through, and so many wonderful teachers taught me what it truly means to teach and love your students,” says Castillow, who attended the school as a child.

“One my favorite tidbits to share with my students each year is that I actually attended Daphne Elementary as student,” she says. “I walk them by my old classrooms, and I’m currently working with a few teachers who were here teaching when I was a student.”

Castillow says she had several teachers at DES who inspired her to take up the same career when she grew up.

“I have wonderful memories from first grade with Ms. Brown, sixth grade with Mrs. Dean, and 12th grade with Mrs. Fowler,” Castillow says. “I’m grateful for all I learned growing up in a community where public education is a priority.”

She says a career in teaching has been a perfect fit for her thus far.

“I wanted a job where I would be doing different things each day,” Castillow says. “I was looking for something where I would be working with others and had the opportunity to be creative and work with a wide variety of people. Some days I can’t actually believe I get to do this for a living.”

Castillow says her favorite thing about being a teacher is getting to spend time with her students.

“I love just talking to my kids,” she says. “They are so funny and they don’t even realize it.”

Castillow said she also enjoys watching her students overcome various challenges.

“No matter the problem — academic or personal — when they realize they have overcame a challenging situation; their spirit is energizing and contagious,” she says.

Her hope, she says, is that when her students leave her classroom they remember it as a place where they could be themselves and learn at their own speed.

“I hope that my kids feel loved and have a loving and compassionate attitude toward others,” Castillow says. “The quality of life depends on your attitude toward both your failures and successes. I hope that they learn how to work hard and diligently.”

TEACHER: Brittany Castillow

SCHOOL: Daphne Elementary School

SUBJECT(S) TAUGHT: First grade

SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOURSELF: I coach softball at Daphne High (where I also played) and I love baseball. I’m determined to attend a game at each ballpark … I’ve got a long way to go.