EAST SIDE LEADER: ANTONIO CRUZ-RODRIGUEZ’S COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY
Born in Mexico, Antonio Cruz-Rodriguez moved to the United States with his family when he was just a few years old. The Cruz-Rodriguez family settled on the east side of Madison, where Antonio’s educational journey began. He attended Lapham Elementary for 4K, then moved to Hawthorne Elementary, and later to Sandburg Elementary due to new district lines. He continued his education at Sherman Middle School and graduated from East High School in 2010.
Antonio has always been a proud east-sider, currently residing in the same area. He appreciates the strong sense of community and the continuous growth and evolution of the East Side. The area is transforming with new businesses replacing old mainstays, bringing more opportunities, especially for the growing Latino community. More Latino-owned restaurants and dual-language immersion (DLI) schools are now part of the landscape. Despite the changes, Antonio values the progress and looks forward to the future of the east side.
Growing up, Antonio was one of only a handful of Latino students in his schools. He recalls being encouraged to speak English instead of Spanish, a stark contrast to today’s encouragement of bilingualism. Reflecting on his childhood, Antonio felt he never truly belonged. He was not “Mexican enough” to be fully accepted by Mexicans and not “American enough” to fit in with Americans. Balancing his Mexican customs with his American experiences was challenging and still impacts his identity today. He foresees that his Mexican-American son will face similar challenges in navigating his cultural identity.
Antonio’s educational journey was influenced by key teachers. His 4K teacher, whose name he cannot recall, played a significant role in helping his family navigate the school system, making them feel “seen.” This experience fuels Antonio’s passion for his current role as a Community Schools Coordinator, where he often helps families new to the country and the school system. Additionally, Kate Brien, his AVID program teacher, had a profound impact on his life. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness system that includes an elective course for students in grades 9-12, supporting them to attend post-secondary education. As one of the first students to graduate from the AVID program in 2010, Antonio benefited greatly from Kate’s guidance. She helped him realize his potential and pushed him to take challenging classes, ultimately giving him the confidence to attend college outside of Madison.
Antonio attended Marian University, where he pursued his passion for soccer and became the first in his family to go to college. Although he did not graduate, his time at Marian was a pivotal experience. After switching majors multiple times, Antonio left to manage a GNC Nutrition store. However, an epiphany at work led him back to Madison, where he enrolled at MATC and began tutoring for AVID and working for Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), the public recreation provider for residents living in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). These roles reaffirmed his desire to work with children. He first worked as a program leader through MSCR, and then as a Special Education Assistant (SEA) at Sandburg Elementary, forming a very close bond with his student.
The opportunity to step in as an MSCR Program Director while his supervisor was on paternity leave boosted Antonio’s confidence to apply for a director position. He became the program director for the MSCR program at Mendota Elementary in February 2020, just before COVID-19 significantly altered his job responsibilities. During the pandemic, he ran the CARES program at Mendota, earning recognition from the district Superintendent, which encouraged him to pursue further opportunities.
Thereafter, Antonio became the Community Schools Resource Coordinator at Hawthorne Elementary, a role he continues to enjoy. He loves working with both students and families, collaborating with partners, and strategizing for the school’s benefit. Helping newcomers to the country is particularly fulfilling for him, as he sees himself in the families he assists and hopes to make a significant impact on them, just as his 4K teacher did for his family.
Reflecting on his journey, Antonio feels deep gratitude for his status as a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) holder, an administrative relief that protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States as children from deportation and provides them with a work permit. This status has opened many opportunities for him, allowing him to work legally in the United States and pursue his career aspirations. Being a DACA holder has played a crucial role in shaping his life and career, providing him with the chance to contribute to his community and support other families facing similar challenges.
Outside of work, Antonio prioritizes his family, balancing his professional and personal responsibilities with great intentionality. He cherishes his role as a father, following the example set by his father, and he holds a deep affection for his wife, who is also an educator. They met at Sandburg Elementary School, where their paths crossed numerous times before they eventually connected and began their relationship. Additionally, he enjoys collecting shoes and action figures, a hobby rooted in the things he couldn’t afford as a child. He proudly displays his action figures in his office, much to the delight of his students.
With deep gratitude, Antonio dedicates his story to his parents, crediting their hard work and dedication for his achievements. Their sacrifices and efforts have shaped him into the person he is today.
Madison’s public schools are proud to count Antonio among their alumni!
