Houston, Texas, United States, Oct0ber 2025 – Houston Independent School District (HISD) has announced the appointment of Norma A. Castillo as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer. In this role, she leads the district’s comprehensive human resources strategy for one of the largest public school systems in the United States, overseeing over 25,000 employees and 10,200 classroom teachers across 274 campuses. Castillo’s focus will be on advancing HISD’s vision of ensuring every child in Houston attends an A or B school, while positioning HR as a key driver of excellence, stability, and growth within the district.
Norma Castillo brings over two decades of educational leadership and human resources expertise to her new role. She has been with Houston ISD for over two years, previously serving as Deputy Chief of HR and Senior Executive Director of Support, where she led critical central office functions including operations, budget and finance, IT, CTE, and stakeholder collaboration. Her strategic leadership ensured that support to schools remained seamless and effective, driving better outcomes for staff and students alike.
Prior to joining HISD, Norma worked with the Texas Education Agency as Director of Effective District Framework Talent Implementation, where she supported school districts statewide in strengthening their talent systems to recruit and retain high-quality educators. Her work emphasized improving teacher quality and ensuring equitable student access to effective instruction.
Earlier, she served for over five years with the Austin Independent School District, progressing from Director of Talent Acquisition to Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital Systems. In this capacity, she managed HR operations for over 11,000 employees, overseeing benefits, compensation, staffing, and HRIS functions. Norma played a pivotal role in developing comprehensive recruitment and retention strategies for teachers, administrators, and support staff, integrating data-driven approaches to strengthen equity-focused HR practices.
Before Austin ISD, Norma led Talent Acquisition and Development at Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, where she implemented innovative recruitment strategies and leadership development programs. Her earlier experience at the Region One Education Service Center as Education Specialist and Adult Education Supervisor further highlights her deep commitment to educator development and lifelong learning.
In addition to her administrative roles, Norma has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Brownsville, teaching courses in Introduction to Teaching and Introduction to Special Populations. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville, where she built the academic foundation for her distinguished career in public education and human resources.
About Houston ISD
Houston Independent School District (HISD) is the largest public school district in Texas and the eighth largest in the United States. With a mission to provide every student with a high-quality education, HISD emphasizes an intensive core curriculum alongside specialized and career-oriented programs. The district aims to empower students to become critical thinkers, visionary leaders, and active contributors to their communities—preparing them for success in a rapidly changing global environment.
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