Sunshine's Secondary ESL Studio

Hi, I’m Sunshine—A High School ESL Teacher and Resource Creator

This is a photo of the website owner, Sunshine Castro. She is a high school ESL teacher.

Welcome! I teach English to high school multilingual learners and design engaging ESL resources to make language learning fun and practical.

My Journey as a High School ESL Teacher

About Me | High School ESL Teacher

Teaching Background

I am a high school ESL teacher with more than 13 years of experience teaching English I & II ESL, ELDA I & II, and ESL Reading. Over the years, I have worked with students at varying proficiency levels while supporting both language development and academic growth.

In addition to classroom experience, I hold certifications in English Language Arts and Reading (grades 4–12) as well as English as a Second Language (grades 4–12). I also earned a master’s degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Bilingual Education, along with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing.

How I Found My Path in ESL

Originally, I planned to teach traditional English courses. However, after stepping into my first ESL classroom, my professional direction quickly changed. Working with multilingual learners brought new challenges, deeper purpose, and a greater sense of impact than I had ever experienced before.

Over time, I discovered that helping students build confidence in a new language was just as important as teaching academic skills. As a result, ESL became the place where my passion and strengths aligned most naturally.

A Defining Classroom Experience

One experience in particular shaped my teaching philosophy. A student who had struggled with English for several years returned as a senior speaking fluently after gaining confidence through consistent exposure and daily interaction. Because of that experience, I now place strong emphasis on meaningful communication and authentic language use.

Why I Create ESL Resources

As my teaching evolved, I noticed a lack of age-appropriate and engaging ESL materials for secondary classrooms. For that reason, I began creating my own resources in March 2025. What started as a solution for my students gradually grew into a way to support other educators working with multilingual learners.

Today, I design classroom-tested materials that help teachers save time, support language development, and maintain high expectations for all students.

Explore My ESL Resources

If you’re looking for practical, ready-to-use ESL resources created by a fellow high school teacher, you’re in the right place. You can explore my full collection on Teachers Pay Teachers or browse ideas and strategies throughout this website.

ESL classroom display with world flags and a collage of student photos surrounding a colorful “ESL” sign.
This ESL display celebrates diversity and community with flags from around the world and a joyful photo collage of ESL students.

What I Offer to Teachers & Students

Grammar & Writing

Targeted task cards and scaffolded activities that make grammar practice engaging and accessible for multilingual teens.

Reading & Literature

CEFR-leveled texts and comprehension questions that challenge students while respecting their diverse backgrounds.

Speaking & Listening

Games, conversation cards, and listening tasks that build confidence and real-world communication skills.

Vocabulary Development

Interactive sorts, themed word lists, and visuals that expand academic vocabulary and support rigorous content.

Teacher Tools & Freebies

Editable organizers, classroom management aids, and free resources to simplify your planning.

What Teachers are Saying

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