Sal Castro

Social Studies Teacher/Activist

Social Studies (1961)

43-year veteran East Los Angeles social studies teacher and legendary education activist.
Had a history-making role in the 1968 East Los Angeles high school walkouts—a series of protests led by high school and college students who wanted to improve the quality and equality of education for Mexican-American students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He was the students' teacher, confidant and mentor.
Honored in 1996 by President Bill Clinton during a ceremony at the White House in recognition of his efforts to change the course of public education.
His story is documented in the 2006 HBO film, Walkout, directed by fellow CSU Los Angeles alumnus Edward James Olmos.
Helped put thousands of students on the path to college, serving as a role model in the classroom and as a motivational speaker, and through his annual Chicano Youth Leadership Conference.

Notable CSU Alumni in education