Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate the stories, contributions, accomplishments, and experiences of those leaders who feel close to Latino culture and who educate young people about the Latino movement.

Richard Heffernan is the current Executive Director of the Bilingual and English as a Second Language ( ESL ) Department . Heffernan supports the development of dual language speaking, reading and writing for students participating in the dual language program, in addition to their knowledge of two cultures. Dallas ISD currently has the largest dual language program in the country, implemented in 158 schools.

"The dual language program is an effective method that we can use to serve students whose communities were marginalized in the past," Heffernan said. "For Spanish-speaking students, the program not only validates their culture and identity, it is the key to mastering English and being successful academically. For those who do not speak Spanish, the program opens the way to all

Heffernan's passion for Hispanic culture led him to travel to Spain and the Canary Islands where he lived for a year and learned Spanish.

Read more: The Dallas Independent School District