MERCEDES — Ida Castillo is hanging up her hat even though she doesn’t want to.
Ida has served for 50 years as the principal’s secretary for the same school, Mercedes Early Childhood.
“If my health would have allowed me, I’d keep going,” Castillo said recently.
Castillo, 70, started in 1965 when she was only 19 at West Elementary, which she also attended as a student in Mercedes.
Castillo said she was recommended by her first-grade teacher who helped her land the job.
And since then, she has handled front office duties and was even acting principal when the school had no one in that position during leadership changes.
She said she has worked with more than 10 principals throughout her tenure.
“I’ve gone through a whole lot of principals and I’ve learned a lot from them,” Castillo said.
Castillo never left her post as she stayed at West Elementary working with four- and five-year-olds, and continued with the school when it was remodeled and renamed Mercedes Early Childhood in 2001.
“I have enjoyed working with all the staff and the children,” Castillo said.
Her work spans four generations. In some cases students who went through the Mercedes elementary education pipeline are now grandparents with students who graduated kindergarten this year.
“I love doing what I do,” Castillo said. “I’ve done the bookkeeping, nursing, custodial work, we used to do everything.”
Castillo worked the attendance records for years at the school.
During her time, she knew everybody in town and she could tell who was who and where so and so lived.
She said year after year, students who came back with their children would ask her, “Ma’am you’re still here?”
Her reply was yes every time, with a giggle added in.
She said she likes her work but it is time to go.
“Your body tells you when,” Castillo said
She said she doesn’t want stop working as she holds back her tears because work was always a top priority for her.
“I used to be here Saturdays and sometimes Sundays because I felt it was my responsibility,” Castillo said.
She said she looks forward to spending more time at home and traveling with family during her retirement.
