Article written by CFBISD Chef Yeshenia Gallardo

 

For Delia Castro, the cafeteria at Creekview High School is much more than a place to serve meals; it is a space where leadership, discipline, and "motherly love" intersect. This Mother’s Day, we are celebrating a family whose roots run deep in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD community. 

A dedicated cafeteria manager with more than 20 years of service, Castro has not only nourished thousands of students but also inspired her own daughter, Vanessa, to follow a path of service as an educator. That inspiration began at home, where Vanessa watched her mother balance the demands of the kitchen with a heart for community service. Vanessa now serves as a Special Education Assistant at Kent Elementary and credits her career path to her mother.

"Even on days that my mom is tired or stressed out, she always comes to work with a positive attitude and does her best to impact students,” Vanessa said. 

Today, Vanessa applies those same traits in her own classroom, striving to be a fair and firm leader who does what is best for her students. This shared dedication to CFBISD creates a unique bond, allowing the pair to debrief about the daily craziness of school life. While they navigate different challenges, Delia manages the moving parts of a high school cafeteria, and Vanessa enjoys the funny and silly antics of elementary students—their ultimate goal remains the same.

"Every day, we collaborate about how we can make an impact on the kids' lives,” said Delia. “In this profession, it’s essential to approach everything with positivity.”

The heart for education between the two is mutual and deeply felt, rooted in a lifetime of shared values. Delia describes her daughter's experience serving students from the classroom as an "amazing feeling," knowing that Vanessa brings a unique joy and brightness to her students.

"My daughter has a lot of love to give,” expressed Delia. "She brings her all to the classroom every single day.”

This respect is mirrored by Vanessa, who views her mother as the ultimate role model.

"She is the kindest and most supportive person I know," Vanessa shared. “Her unwavering support inspires me to be the best educator possible.”

Perhaps the greatest testament to Delia’s impact is the lasting connection she makes with the community. Many of the students she served years ago at Carrollton Elementary still remember her now that she is a manager at Creekview. 

This spring brings an extra layer of joy for the Castro family as Delia’s youngest son, Jesus, prepares to graduate as the Salutatorian of his class at Creekview High School, the very school where his mother serves. As Jesus prepares to head to the University of Texas at Austin this fall, Delia is grateful to work in an environment where she gets to remain close to her children. 

As Vanessa reminds us, the most important part of Mother’s Day is showing appreciation for the "superheroes" who love us unconditionally. On behalf of the Student Nutrition Department, we wish Delia, and all the incredible mothers in our community a very Happy Mother’s Day.