RR DRC. 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
to the education of all children with a focus on English Language Learners and bilingual
education. He led a team 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 and helping to build the foundation for the
programs' long-term sustainability. 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 and who pursued their educational Master's or doctoral programs because of Dr.
Rodriguez.
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. Rudy has received Lifetime Achievement Awards and/or recognition for
meritorious service in teacher preparation from several professional organizations, including the
TABE, BEAM, National Association for Bilingual Education, the Texas Council for Reading, and
Phi Lambda Theta. In April 2016, he received an Heroe de La Educacion Bilingue award from
his bilingual education colleagues at Texas A&M University Commerce.
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. He was vocal in
supporting DISD teachers to diversify the district's professional workforce. He especially
appreciates the support of the Board and Dr. Braswell in approving the first Denton ISD
Mariachi Student group.
Rudy has served on Bond Election Committees, the Denton Community Development Board,
the Denton Housing Authority (appointed by Mayor Castleberry), and the 2010 Census Count
Committee (Appointed by Mayor Burroughs). In 2012-2014, he organized a successful
campaign that led to the City Council's approval of the naming of the newly proposed Soccer
Athletic Center in honor of G. Roland Vela. In 2015, he was appointed by Commissioner Andy
Eads to serve in the Denton County History and Culture Advisory Committee. As member of the
History and Culture committee and LULAC Council representative, he served as primary chair
of the committee planning the successful Sept. 16— Oct. 16, 2016 Hispanic Heritage Month
celebration.