Mario FERRON

Affiliation

Harlandale ISD Bilingual Department

Biography

Dr. Ferron has a life-long experience with dual language. Born in Mexico, he had the opportunity to attend a PK-12 dual language school. Dr. Ferron taught 8th grade U.S. History in Spanish at PSJA-ISD, before becoming Dual Language Coordinator for Secondary Schools. Under his tenure, PSJA became the district with the largest secondary school DL program in Texas, serving more than 3,000 students in eight middle schools and five high schools. In 2016, Dr. Ferron became Bilingual Director for San Antonio ISD, expanding the program from two schools to 48 schools by 2019, when he was recruited by Uvalde CISD to expand its Dual Language Program. Under his leadership, the program has expanded to 12th grade, and in August of 2021, Uvalde opened its Dual Language Academy; a PK-6 In-District Charter school, exclusively devoted for dual language. Dr. Ferron has a Doctorate degree in Curriculum & Instruction, with specialization in Bilingual Studies, from the University of Texas - Brownsville and two Masters Degrees in Bilingual Education and History, from the University of Texas Pan-American. His academic research overwhelmingly supports what he personally witnessed in his classroom and in his life – superior academic achievement exhibited by children participating in dual language education. In 2012, Dr. Ferron’s Doctoral Dissertation won First Place in NABE’s Outstanding Dissertation Award; and he is a renowned keynote speaker and presenter in state and national conferences. Dr. Ferron is also a recognized consultant, providing professional development and consulting services.