Jessica Castro-Buelna is a 2026-2027 Teach Plus New Mexico Senior Policy Fellow. She is co-lead founder of Inspira STEAM Academy, kindergarten teacher, testing coordinator, and teacher mentor at Inspira STEAM Academy in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Jessica previously served as kindergarten teacher at J. Paul Taylor Academy, bilingual 5th grade teacher in an International Baccalaureate program at Albuquerque Public Schools, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling facilitator, and high-dosage tutoring summer educator. She was nominated for Jardin De Los Niños Champion for Children Roots of Resilience, J. Paul Taylor Academy Phoenix Award (2023), and serves on the New America School Board. Jessica earned a BS in early childhood education with a bilingual endorsement from Western New Mexico University, MA in elementary education, and MA in educational leadership from Western New Mexico University.
