From the Barrio to Washington

Armando Miguel Rodriguez talked about his book From the Barrio to Washington: An Educator’s Journey, published by University of New Mexico Press. The book chronicles his experience moving from Mexico to California as a boy and rising through the ranks of the American education system. During his career he became a college president, served in the administrations of four United States presidents, and helped develop the field of bilingual education in America. Mr. Rodriguez’s grandson, Armando Simon Rodriguez, read a selection from the book about the movement for fairness in employment. His great-grandson, Armando Gabriel Rodriguez, was also present. Mr. Rodriguez responded to questions from members of the audience.

Armando Rodriguez is a retired educator with a long record of involvement in education at the local, state, and federal level. He started as a special education teacher in San Diego in 1949. He began working for California’s state education administration in Sacramento close