Isaac Castelaz

Isaac Castelaz is a 23-year Chicago educator with experience as a consultant, principal, teacher, and instructional coach. In the nine years he served as the principal of National Teachers Academy, a public school serving students on the South Side of Chicago, he led the school to obtain the highest possible district rating for several years. In 2018, Isaac helped his community defeat a City Hall plan to close the school. The momentous victory was featured in the award-winning documentary Let the Little Light Shine. As a certified coach, Castelaz specializes in life, leadership and instructional coaching along with talent development and strengthening organizational culture.

Aside lifelong friends Abayouni Dukes and Grant Brooks, Isaac founded 360 Collective to help people, groups, organizations and school communities promote justice and wellbeing by confronting unhealthy mindsets, habits, and policies related to race, inclusion, diversity and equity. With 50 years of experience leading, teaching, and counseling within social service organizations and schools, Castelaz, Dukes and Brooks use their unique skills as educators, counselors, scholars, and organizers to help others achieve ambitious developmental goals.