Leander ISD is pleased to announce Cristy Castañares as the next principal of Bagdad Elementary School. The Board of Trustees approved her hiring at Thursday’s meeting.
“Cristy Castañares brings a strong combination of student-centered leadership, systems thinking, and a deep belief in the potential of every student and educator,” said Leander ISD Superintendent Chris Clark, Ed.D. “Her commitment to developing teachers, building strong relationships, and using student data to support learning will be tremendous assets to Bagdad. She is excited to build on the strengths of the school community and partner with staff and families to help every student thrive.”
Castañares currently serves as director of teaching and learning for Hamlin Collegiate ISD, where she leads districtwide professional development and coaching focused on effective instruction. She works with teachers and campus leaders to strengthen classroom practices, analyzes student data to guide interventions and supports campus improvement efforts. During her first year in the role, her work contributed to the district’s improvement from a D to a C campus rating. She also serves as the district testing coordinator and a member of the district’s leadership team.
A veteran educator with 24 years of experience, Castañares has held leadership roles at elementary and secondary campuses in El Paso and Austin. She previously served as an assistant principal at Rusk Elementary and Travis Elementary in El Paso, as well as Hudson Bend Middle School and Eastwood Middle School. She also served as interim principal of Hudson Bend Middle School, overseeing campus operations, staff evaluations, hiring, scheduling, budgeting and student support. Earlier in her career, she worked as an instructional specialist, school-wide coordinator and elementary teacher.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the principal of Bagdad Elementary,” said Castañares. “I am excited to join a community rich in tradition, build upon the strengths that make Bagdad special, and work alongside our students, staff, families, and community to achieve great things together. I’m proud to be a Bobcat and can’t wait to see how high we can pounce, grow, and achieve together!”
Castañares earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in early elementary childhood certification and a Master of Education in educational administration from The University of Texas at El Paso. She is completing a Doctor of Education in educational leadership for K-12 at Baylor University, with an expected completion date of fall 2026.
