Dare County Schools proudly announces that Dr. Shannon Castillo, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), has been named the 2025 CTE Administrator of the Year for the Northeast Region. The honor was presented during the North Carolina CTE Summer Conference, held in Winston-Salem.
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding leadership in developing innovative and impactful CTE programs that drive both student and teacher success. Dr. Castillo’s commitment to expanding course offerings and exposing students to various career paths has led to a significant increase in CTE participation in Dare County Schools.
Under her leadership, Dare County Schools students are earning an unprecedented number of industry-recognized credentials, preparing them for high-demand careers both locally and nationally. During the 2024-25 school year, students earned 2,655 industry-recognized credentials—giving them a significant advantage when entering the workforce.
Dr. Castillo has been influential in expanding CTE offerings to align with the region’s workforce needs in areas such as architecture and construction, arts, AV technology, communications, business, management and administration, hospitality and tourism, health science, information technology, and aviation.
These course offerings include skills and career experiences that connect students to their local history, career opportunities, and needs of the Outer Banks community. The latest innovative projects include:
- A boat-building program at Manteo Middle and High Schools, celebrating the region’s maritime heritage;
- A growing aviation program at First Flight High School, exposing students to careers in the aerospace industry on the historic grounds of the Wright Brothers National Memorial;
- A skoolie bus renovation project at Cape Hatteras Secondary School, where students apply design, carpentry, and mechanical skills to transform a school bus into a mobile living space.
“Over the course of the last 3 years under Dr. Castillo leadership, Dare County Schools Career and Technical Education Department has posted all-time record numbers in student enrollment, students achieving industry-recognized credentials, and CTE concentrators, said Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight.
“One of the most astounding is that 87% of the students enrolled in CTE programs attain a career credential. She has led innovative programs in computer programming, drone technology, partnering with local businesses and industries like the hospital, boatbuilders, Chamber of Commerce, and developed a student intern/apprenticeship model that allows students to propose their own internships. Dr. Castillo has elevated Career and Technical Education in Dare County Schools to enable our students to choose rewarding career options and training opportunities right here in our schools that will immediately translate to local jobs.”
Career and Technical Education programs play a vital role in preparing students for success after high school. According to Advance CTE, students who complete a CTE pathway:
- Are more likely to graduate on time and pursue postsecondary education;
- Gain hands-on experience and industry certifications that lead directly to employment;
- Report higher levels of career exploration, confidence, and readiness.
For more information about Career and Technical Education in Dare County Schools, visit www.daretolearn.org/cte.