Research Fellow at the Film and Education Research Academy, Columbia University
Honorary Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University, Teachers College

Dr. Castagno’s research interest concentrates in the areas of cultural studies, psychology, and education: Currently he is exploring the relationship between popular film and pedagogy at Columbia University and he is building a graduate research team at Touro College in the area of second language acquisition. Also, he is writing a book on Intersubjectivity and Pedagogy. Dr. Castagno received a Baccalaureate Degree (Magna Cum Laude) from the City University of New York and received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Developmental Psychology and Cultural Studies from Columbia University.
Dr. Castagno began as a public school teacher and psychologist and very quickly rose to become Professor, Field Supervisor, Director, and Coordinator of graduate programs in Special Education, Bilingual Education / Multiculturalism, and TESOL at The City University of New York, Bank Street College, and Adelphi University. Under his leadership federal and state grants were written and awarded to implement and maintain graduate training programs in the areas of Bilingual and Special Education.
Dr. Castagno holds New York State certifications/licenses in the professional areas of Nursery, Kindergarten & Grades 1 - 6, School Psychology, and Mental Health Counseling. He has dedicated years of clinical practice on working with children and families affected by HIV and AIDS at Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn. He is a full Member of the American Psychological Association and Faculty Advisor for the Graduate Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children at Touro College, School of Education and Psychology / Graduate Division.
In 2006, Dr. Castagno became Professor and Chair of the TESOL and Bilingual Programs at Touro Graduate School of Education and School Psychology. Under his leadership, combined with an outstanding staff, he has promoted the graduate Programs in TESOL/Bilingual and has build bridges with community agencies across the City and New York State in order to support teachers, clinicians, and the student population in the public and private sectors. Also, Dr. Castagno has formed new on-line courses in both programs to facilitate the training our future educators and clinical practitioners across the City and New York Sate.