RR DRC ..b Denton ISD has new middle school that I'm proposing should be named in honor of Dr. Rudy
Rodriguez for his advocacy and contributions in increasing the educational outlooks for all
children of Denton ISD. Rudy is an innovator with a passion for community service, as
evidenced by his involvement in the Denton Schools and service to both the city and the county.
Dr. Rodriguez is highly recognized across the state of Texas and nationally for his contribution in
establishing the first major bilingual/ESL teacher education programs at Texas Woman's
University in the Denton and Dallas UNT campuses, including securing federal grant support for
the programs. It is impossible to count the number of teachers and administrators who have
graduated from these degree programs at TWU, UNT Denton, and UNT Dallas.
Rudy joined with colleagues in the 1970s and 1980s in forming the Texas Association for
Bilingual Education (TABE) and the Bilingual-ESL Education Association of the Metroplex
(BEAM). He is also well known among his colleagues for his production of the video on the
History of Texas Bilingual Education: Celebrating Our Legacy and publications in the education
of English learners.
During his six-year tenure as a member of the Denton ISD Board of Trustees and the first Latino
to serve in the Board, he joined with his Board colleagues & school administration in supporting
policies and programs focused on the growing diversity of children in the DISD.
Rudy has served on Bond Election Committees, the Denton Community Development Board,
the Denton Housing Authority, the 2010 Census Count Committee, serves in the Denton County
History and Culture Advisory Committee. I highly recommend naming our 81" campus, Dr. Rudy
Rodriguez Middle School.