Meet: Lea Bentley Castillo
Texas Distance Learning Coordinator
Johnson Space Center
"You can teach a student a lesson
for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he
will continue the learning process as long as he lives." -- Clay P. Bedford
Who I am and What I Do
I am the Texas Distance Learning Coordinator. I spend
a lot of time coordinating events for the Texas classrooms, as well as
help with the other international connections the Distance Learning Outpost
conducts daily. My other duties as part of the team include on-camera
hosting, and preparing the activities and lessons for the event modules.
All of these responsibilities give me the opportunity to teach K-12 students
about the human space flight program, mostly via live video teleconferencing
events and web casting. We discuss all aspects of the program, including
math, geography, physical science, and social sciences.
My job is exciting because I can combine my technical
knowledge with my teaching and communication skills. I use my knowledge
in the area of technology to assist people in finding the right technology
to connect for our programs. I also use it to research topics and develop
activities. As an on-camera host, I have to be able to communicate effectively
to my audience and use my teaching skills to make the information meaningful
and valuable to the students.
NASA is a wonderful place to work because it is extremely
challenging. There is so much information to learn and there are always
new things happening. Because of my role as an on-camera host and curriculum
developer, I have to be able to know all the essential information to
be able to speak about it to all of the people who connect to DLO events!
It's a never-ending learning experience!
Education and Career Path
I graduated with my bachelor of science degree in
Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University in College Station,
Texas, in May 1990. After teaching in the Houston area for two years,
I went back to College Station and taught school and worked on my master's
degree. In December 1996, I earned my master of science degree from Texas
A&M University in Educational Human Resource Development, with an emphasis
in distance education. This degree opened new doors for me. The skills
I developed from my degree enabled me to work in the area of distance
education. I learned network and video-conferencing technology through
coordinating the implementation of the Laredo Community College and Region
IV Education Service Center video-conferencing networks. Other opportunities
I have had to use my skills have been through sales in the data telecommunications
area and web-based instructional development.
I wanted to teach from the time I could talk. I love
to teach and share information with others. As a teacher and in my job
at NASA, I strive to teach and use all of my skills to influence students
to strive to their potential. I believe that everyone can succeed at what
they set their minds to accomplish. I want to provide every opportunity
for students to accomplish success! It is unfortunate that I cannot reach
all students, but I am only one person and will strive to do the best
I can to make a difference as I interact with the many students through
the DLO.
Growing Up
I grew up in Calallen, a suburb of Corpus Christi,
Texas. It was fun living on the coast near the beach, and by the water.
My entire time growing up I knew I would be a teacher. I always had fun
playing school and teaching the younger kids in the neighborhood. I wanted
to make a difference in the world because without teachers there would
not be presidents, lawyers, doctors, engineers, and all other occupations.
I loved playing sports. I played basketball through
high school. My team was undefeated through my freshman year of high school.
Other activities I enjoyed were singing in the choir, participating in
student council, the Spanish club, and church activities. I knew that
being active in many activities would help me in my career because I learned
to be a leader, and get along with all different types of people.
Personal
My husband, Chris, and I were married in November
2001. We live on our 50-foot yacht, Princess Lea, in Kemah, Texas.
Growing up in Corpus Christi, I was around water and boats all my life,
but I never thought I would live on one. Living on the boat is wonderful,
when you want to take a ride; you start it up and go. We enjoy taking
cruises and going fishing. I do not know what I will do when I have to
live on land. I will miss the swaying and lapping of the water to put
me to sleep.
Chris has an interesting job. He is a captain aboard
a larger yacht. He drives the yacht and takes the owners to different
places. He is always on vacation! Chris likes to watch all the informational
channels on television and knows about everything. He teaches me a lot
about space, aeronautics and everything else in history, technology, and
science.
My brother and his family live near us in Clear Lake.
My nephews, Brian and Blake, love to come spend time on the boat. They
have their own room that is like a submarine because it is underwater.
Chris and I love to spend time with them, and watch them play baseball.
My parents live in Victoria, Texas, south of Houston,
but they make the trip to Houston a lot to watch baseball games and go
boating. They always encouraged me to exceed my own expectations and through
their encouragement, support and love, I have become a very successful
adult.
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