Path to Bonita Learning Academy

Interview with Ana Castanos, Director of Bonita Learning Academy

By Anjelica Pantoja | May 18th, 2017
My class had just left to their enrichment class and I was walking down the small hall to get
to Mrs. Ana Castanos office. You can see the preschoolers and the 3 year old classes through the
window and saw the students working on the carpet with some of the playing materials. The
school itself is really small so I had to move over to the side to let some students pass by as they
ran to get to the bathroom. I approached her office door and saw it was open so I knocked on the
door frame to announce I was coming in as I saw she was on the phone. She saw me and
motioned me to come in as she hung up. She told me to have a seat and asked me how my
morning has been. Once I sat down she warned me of the phone ringing during the interview,
which thankfully only went off once. What you can expect to hear in our interview is the
challenges and lessons she has learned getting to where she is today as the founder and director
of Bonita Learning Academy. I also asked a few questions about their amazing recycling and
eco-friendly program. The responses she gave me were so thoughtful and honest that I feel this
interview has helped me view life and careers in a new light.

Anjelica Pantoja (AP): Thank you for letting me interview you.

Ana Castanos (AC): Thank you, to you.

(AP) Im very excited to.

(AC) Dont worry, thank you very much.

(AP) So the first question, growing up what did you want to be and is it similar to what youre
doing today?
(Phone rings)

(AC) Yes, it is similar. I was six years old when I decided to be a teacher. It is something that I
decided right away because I like to teach. Therefore, I decided my career since I was six years
old. So I dont have a problem for what I want because I follow my heart and I know that this is
my mission in life. I am happy because Im doing whatever I want to do. Well not whatever I
want because Im doing what I want. Aha.

(AP) And what school did you go to and what did you study?

(AC) Firstly, I studied in one preschool and kindergarten. It was a school that belonged to nuns.
The name of the community the school belonged to is called Sacred Heart Community. I
continued with the elementary school and high school in the same school. When I decided to be a
teacher I studied in the Institute Miguel Angel that also belonged to Sacred Heart and Miguel
Angel but offered the career of being a teacher. And then, I studied my bachelors degree in
another university that was catholic too. It was private. Its name is Universidad Iberoamericana
in Mexico City. After my bachelors, I studied my post grad in one technical university called
ITAM. During all my life I have been studying in private schools except when I came to the
United States that started to study at Southwestern (AP: Oh, okay). I studied to be a preschool
teacher in Southwestern College.

(AP) Was there anything that you learned that was helpful to you-?

(AC) All the time. All the time. Whatever you learn in life, I can tell you that its going to be
very helpful. For example, if you know how to clean the kitchen you are going to know how to
clean the kitchen very well in the school. Therefore, you can help people or you can do the things
yourself. If you know how to teach correctly you are going to be able teach correctly your
students. (3:00 - 3:10) All the things I learned in Mexico, I was eager to learn and then I applied
them here (what she learned). Then when I studied here of course, I applied the things that I
learned here. But remember, when I studied there was no computers so I started to learn
computers and everything more than likely here in the United States. I also started to apply
everything that I learned in Southwestern College. Yes, I can tell you that school helps a lot.
Mhm.

(AP) And if you can go back and do anything different what would it be?

(AC) Well, maybe I could be an artist or I can be a doctor. I like medicine a lot and I like acting
but, to tell you the truth, I also like to teach a lot. I dont think that I can change but maybe watch
programs that show how to do surgery or something like that. I like the skin, a lot, so I could be a
dermatologist. Mhm.

(AP) What was your journey like from growing up and ending up here and creating this school?

(AC) Very difficult, very hectic, a lot of challenge. You need to be a warrior in order to build
things in your life. It doesnt matter that you fail, you need to get up again and continue. You
need to learn from your mistakes and you need to be responsible for all your actions. Because if -
(Gets closer to mic to emphasize this next point)

(AC) If you are responsible for all your actions, you are going to grow and be responsible and
you will not blame anyone and at the end you are going to be successful. People are going to
believe in you if you are responsible. It was very difficult and a lot of work. Finally, if you
balance things, the results are nice because while teaching people you can grow, personally
speaking. You can also help others to grow. Then I really started the private and bilingual
education for preschools here in Chula Vista and I think I had a lot of influence in many schools
here in Chula Vista.

(AP) And what do you think was the most challenging part? Was there any failure that stood out
to you the most?

(AC) The most difficult part is to relate with others. If people dont have personal growth and
personal development, they think it is difficult to relate with them because, how can I tell you, all
the time you need to look for the way to say things. If the people are sensitive or they have a big
ego, or they are jealous... How can I tell you? Relating to others is difficult. Its a challenge.

Therefore, you need to find the way to relate to people in order for things to flow and benefit the
children. The goal in my career is to benefit, the children along with the young people and the
adults too. Overall, in order to relate with them you need to work a lot. This is the most
challenging part and the rest comes by itself.

(AP) And other than this amazing school that you have, what are some other passions that you
have? I think you mentioned art and dermatology, right?

(AC) Well but I am not a dermatologist.

(AP) (Laughing) Yeah.

(AC) My passions are... well I like a lot to know the world that you cannot see. I like spirituality
a lot but dont misunderstand me, I like to be close to God all the time and I like to know how
the world works. For instance, all these mysteries that you cannot see in your life. I always
wonder how this wonderful world is working. And it is amazing how the world relates with us.
This is one of my biggest passions. Shamanism, I like shamanism a lot. I like drumming. I have a
lot of passions, I love reading, I love the nature, and I love animals. So... well I enjoy life, I can
tell you. I have different passions and I like to teach a lot. Even though I do this job (Being the
director), I like to teach and I like to train people.

(AP) And how do you tie those passions into what you do? So, how would you tie those passions
that you have into your school?

(AC) Well, its pretty easy because everything in the world is related. Maybe its difficult for
people to understand that the things happening in Syria affect others. The things that happen in
Mexico affects Canada and the United States. All of us are related. If youre a happy person
doing things that you are passionate about you are going to be a happy person and you are going
to be happy at your school too. If you like to read, you can implement things in your school that
you have read about. For example, I like to drum so I can bring my drumming to the school.
Because I believe in God, I ask God all the time to help me with the school in order for me to
really touch the souls of the students. Everything that you do in your life, you can implement in
your career. For example, I like to eat healthy and I try to give healthy food to my students. You
can incorporate everything in your career because whatever you do in your personal life, it is
going to affect your work. Most of the time people say Oh, work is different from personal
Yes, it is but in another way. If you are a sour person in your personal life, of course you are
going to be a sour person in your work! And now you can see that there are teachers here that are
very happy campers, because they are happy in their lives too! If in your life you are sour person,
you are going to blame the people, you are going to blame your mother, or the job, or the
teacher, or the boss, whatever comes to your mind first. So its easy to incorporate whatever you
are used to and studied in your work. I can tell you, for example I like to make candles and I
bring my candles to work. It is like if you like to garden you can incorporate your gardening
skills in your school. Everything is easy to incorporate in your work because everything is
related.

(AP) So what are some of the greatest accomplishments? Like what is the greatest
accomplishments that you think stands out?

(AC) I have been helping people to grow. I have been helping my students since I was working
in Mexico.

(AP) Is there a specific story that stands out to you the most of how youve touched someone?

(AC) Oh yeah, I can tell you. There is a student that I really love him a lot, he was very... How
can you say? In Mexico we say that he was very... Well this isnt really appropriate to say but we
say he was a burro.

A donkey. In Mexico it was Oh, hes a burro, hes a donkey, he doesnt like to study. Anyway,
but you dont say that but anyway, meaning that he had bad grades, misconduct so no one really
wanted to be in charge of him because he was (Pause) oh my god... So, I told the director If this
student- We are going to call him Miguel. His name is not Miguel, okay? Miguel needs a tutor
in order to really flourish. He needs attention, I feel him abandoned. Then I was asked, Who is
going to be in charge of him? And I said, Im going to be in charge of him. Therefore, I took
him and I started to be with him in the way that I was studied with him and overall helping with
the school. Then I started to go with him on the weekends for example to different places so he
can know different things and not only academics, I was going with him to different sports and I
started to see that he started to flourish. And then when I moved here I told him, Please Miguel,
Im going to ask you to finish your career. Because at that time he wanted to be a lawyer. He
was in high school at that time. I was teaching in high school (junior and senior high). I was the
assistant principal of the school and I was teaching world history at that time. I told him Please
Miguel, I am moving to another country but, please finish your career. Be a lawyer. Promise me
that you are going to be a lawyer and finish everything that you start. And guess what. He did.
We are in touch every two months, something like that. He comes here to visit, he has children
and he put the name of his daughter my name because he told me I put the name of my daughter
like you because of the way you influenced me. And right now he is working in the United
Nations... How do you call it?

(AP) The United Nations?

(AC) Yes, in the-
(AP) Oh, really!
(AC) In Switzerland.
(AP) Wow!

(AC) He is in Switzerland in Berna, Suiza (Spanish for Bern, Switzerland).. For me, it was
amazing how he succeeded. Last summer, he came to San Diego with all his family. I received
him in my house because we have a very good relationship, a very good bond. And its when you
support someone in the right moment, in the right time you can help them to flourish.

(AP) Yeah.
(AC) And for me its amazing how he had been growing because he has international successes
for the type of work that he is doing. And his work is really well recognized and known. Yeah.

(AP) I actually am in MUN which is Model United Nations, so-

(AC) Thats very good!

(AP) So thats really amazing that-

(AC) Oh yeah!

(AP) that happened because its really hard to get in.

(AC) And in the forum! He is working in the forum! Oh yeah you cannot believe it, so its like,
OH. MY. GOD. Its amazing. And when he called me, Oh Im going to have a daughter! And
Im going to put your name! Its like, oh my god. I never thought that how much of an impact
that I had on him. Yeah, now hes like my son, of course.
(Both of us laughing)
(AC) And I have grandchildren of course, yes.
(AP) Thats amazing...
(AC) Thank you.
(AP) And in terms for your school, what are some long term goals for Bonita Learning
Academy?

(AC) My long term goals is (pause) I need to See the way that Im going to be more I can
incorporate, how you say... more technology. I dont want that the preschoolers use technology,
no because they need to develop more fine motor skills and things like that, you already know
that. That they need to know how to cut, how to grab the crayon, the pencil. But in kindergarten I
would like to integrate technology. And I really wanted to... finish the curriculum that I am doing
in order to promote and sell the curriculum. So I would like to put more of my philosophy or my
approach to the internet and drive this school more with technology. That way you can teach
others, maybe in towns that are pretty far from the cities or that are not close to a bilingual
education and try to be close to them through technology. This is one of my main goals, to finish
very well my curriculum and implement technology right now. But of course, an important thing
is to continue doing the things well in the present because the future, well, its a dream baby. The
reality is what you and I are living right now.

(AP) And besides from being able to speak Spanish and English, what are some things you-
some other things you hope the students can take away from Bonita Learning Academy?
(AC) One of the things that for me is important is the holistic education. Besides learning
English and Spanish, they are learning, of course, science and math and social science.

Its like human beings, they can flourish because we do a lot of art and a lot of physical
education, like with the zumba, with the yoga, with the music and movement to develop the self-
esteem. The children are able to dance in front of 600 people the day of the festival and do yoga
in order to recognize their body. Besides the language its to develop in a whole approach.
For example, your school should be really devoted to prepare the students for the work
environment. And this is really giving you tools for the future and I try with my preschoolers and
kindergarten students to do the same. To prepare them very well for elementary school but at the
same time prepare them... to be happy children. They recognize their body, their mind, their
spirit, plus they know academics. Mhm. Yes.

(AP) And Bonita Learning Academy is an eco-friendly school, so when did you guys start the
process of becoming eco-friendly?
(AC) Oh baby Years ago, years ago! More than 10 years ago or 13 or 15 years ago. Because
Im really concerned about the world and the nature we started to recycle things since the
beginning. I am an environmentalist, so I did it. I started to do it in Mexico. When I came here,
of course, I implement the things from outside, inside and I started to recycle things and to
classify very well the garbage and things like that so its something that we started years ago.
Because when you have the conscious, you are conscientious about the environment. When you
are conscientious you know that you need to water the plants. When you are conscientious you
need to take care of the environment for future generations.

(AP) And how did you- or what was the first step in becoming eco-friendly? Or bringing those
tools here.

(AC) When I was young my father used to take me often to the nature but really often to the
ocean to do camping and through the camping and being in the ocean and being in the
mountains, I started to respect nature because I started to see that everything is an ecosystem.
I started to see that many animals live around us, and we need to respect their houses, so thats
something that came with my education because my father was really concerned about nature.
And because we were living in a big city, every weekend we went to the nature, on vacations to
the nature so you start to see that the nature is important! And when you realize that nature is
important you start to take care of the water, you start to take care of the animals, you start to
take care of the plants and the trees and of course its something that was in me.
In each school that I was working in I really was helping with the recycling and the taking care
of the water and things like that. And I take care of the water because when I was living in
Mexico City we didnt have enough water and you need to take care of the water because
sometimes you dont have it. Sometimes if the water goes, like some people say, you dont have
lets say for a week, you may have to go to another part of the city to have a shower in a friends
house or something like this. By experiencing something like this you decide that when the
things are good you want to implement them.

(AP) And what are some tips you can give to a school that is looking to make that switch? Cause
High Tech High claims to be eco-friendly but theres a lot of other things I think we can take
from your school and implement there. So what are some tips that you can give us?

(AC) Be conscientious. If you really are conscientious about the nature- we live in the house of
the nature, so we need to respect this house. You need to be conscientious and really see whats
important. And for me its important to take care of the environment because we are destroying
the environment. I can tell you that I see another world completely different from what you see.
Its amazing the amount of things that I was able to see that now the ocean doesnt have, the
mountains do not have. Therefore, you need to be conscious. What kind of world do I have?
Okay, I want a good world, perfect. Then, I need to take care of this. Learn about how to
recycle, learn about what things can be recycled, where you can put the recyclable things. And
you need to learn with the information that the government gives you to take care when youre
recycling, take care of the bags from the supermarkets. Its a matter of conscious, to be aware. If
you have a paper, where are you going to put that paper, in the trash or in the recycling?

(AP) And what do you believe is the most difficult part of becoming eco-friendly for a business
or a school?

(AC) The people are lazy. Because people are lazy and they dont care about others and they
dont care about the schools, they only think about themselves. Oh! Why am I going to have a
short shower, if I deserve a shower thats an hour and a half Well, because it doesnt matter that
it was raining we need to take care of the water because if not you are not going to have water in
the future, HELLO! You know its like the People are pretty egocentric and they only think
about themselves. They dont think like, Oh if I recycle Im going to take care of the
environment and therefore my children will be in a better environment. And people dont want
to recycle because sometimes recycling takes time. But if you have time to be on the telephone,
and see the twitters of whatever or Whats app or whatever! Well you have the time to recycle
correctly.

(AP) Oh perfect! (Referring to our timing) So growing up it seems that you take a lot of lessons
from when you were little and you implemented a lot of it here. So what are somethings that,
your parents or where you grew up kind of instilled in you morally? Like what are some morals
that you took from when you were growing up that you can implement here or that you have.

(AC) To be honest and it is important that your word has a value. If you say something you need
to really accomplish it. For example if I am telling you I am going to give you supposedly a
cake for your party, I need to honor it and give you the cake for your party because I already told
you so. Except if there is an emergency or something happened that makes it difficult to do what
I promised because things happen. So be honest and your word has a value. The important thing
is that you need to be responsible for your mistakes and you cannot blame others. All the time
you need to take responsibility. And I had a really strict education, discipline is really good
because when you have discipline you can achieve goals. My father and my mother were hard
workers. They were the ones who taught me how to work. I work for the things that I have. I
dont like that if Oh I dont have Im going to ask for help or this or that. Well I understand
that there is help for certain programs that are important, no I dont deny that. They teach me
really you need to be responsible for your expenses and your things.

(AP) And finally what is some advice that you can give to me on my journey, hopefully, to a
successful place?
(AC) Be aware. Be aware meaning be conscious of what you are doing in each moment. And
take initiative, have initiative be aware of the things and be responsible and if you made the
mistake you can correct your mistake. And then be proactive, meaning dont expect that others
tell you. You do it yourself. Therefore, people see that you can move by yourself and not depend
on others because one of the things that is important is that when you move yourself, by yourself,
people see it and they can see that you have your own light, your own movement, your own
initiative, your own activity and this has a big value. This is one of the advices that I can tell you.
Mhm, yes.
(AP) Thank you very much, it was a really nice interview.
(AC) Thank you baby, to you.
(AP) We covered everything.
(AC) Thank you, to you. You are very nice so thank you very much.