Education, faith and family are the three pillars of success for Esmeralda Castro, new principal of Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral School, Camden, and the elementary school on Federal Street is already welcoming the seasoned veteran with open arms.
“This was not in the plan,” Castro said with a chuckle as she recalled her decision to consider making the leap from 11 years as a classroom teacher to the principal’s office.
Despite both her son and the school’s retiring principal urging her to apply, Castro said, “I was not sure initially. I honestly felt like I was called by God to do this. I finally gave up the fight with God and decided to go for it.”
Castro began her tenure at Saint Joseph in September 2015, following a maternity leave. Applying as a substitute teacher at her parish’s school, “I thought this was the place for me. I could connect with students, talk about God with them. It just felt right.”
Over the next 11 years, she served as second-grade dual language teacher; guided the students in preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion; led the coordination of the Middle States recertification process; acted as summer program coordinator of academic and enrichment activities; and taught fifth-grade students. Castro was named the Catholic Partnership School Teacher of the Year in 2026.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from Rutgers University and completed courses in educational leadership (Rowan University) and bilingual education (Fairleigh Dickinson University). She honed her craft in a number of Camden charter schools over the next two decades, as first-through-third-grade lead teacher, founding fifth-grade ELA teacher, curriculum coordinator and fifth-grade teacher before beginning her career in Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral School.
Enrollment in Saint Joseph, one of the Catholic Partnership Schools, has risen from 300 to 343 students this year. Castro estimates that 12-15 families have transferred into the school from the recently-closed Holy Name School. “We have two of each grade level,” Castro added, “and the dual language [English and Spanish] K-3 immersion bilingual program, the only one in the area, is an attraction.”
Castro is a married mother of three children – two are high school students, and her youngest daughter is a seventh-grader at Saint Joseph. She and her husband, Erick, will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this fall.
The family attends Joseph Pro-Cathedral Parish. “That’s where I had my quinceañera,” she explained.
The seasoned educator is eagerly anticipating her debut as principal, and her extended family in faith shares her excitement. “I have been impressed with the support of my community: the teachers, students, parents and families. They have been happy with my transition,” she said.
Laying out her goals for the upcoming school year in a letter to the parents, she continued, “I look forward to collaborating with our talented faculty, supportive families, parish community and students as we continue to build upon the strong traditions of faith, academic excellence and service that define Saint Joseph School.”
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