New Leader Selected for NUSD’s Spanish Dual Immersion School

--- Published on May 18th 2022 ---
Heredia-Arriaga Rendering

It’s been 31 years since Elizabeth Aguirre began her career in education, a journey filled with joy and pride. A graduate from Sacramento State University, Aguirre was selected to be the new leader of Heredia-Arriaga, the Natomas Unified School District’s New Spanish Dual Immersion School opening for the 2023-2024 school year. “I am looking forward to having the ability to design the school and work with a team of people who want to create a dual immersion program that is going to help students to learn two languages,” shares Aguirre. She’s bringing experience with her including being a former principal at a Dual Immersion school, Bowling Green Chacon Language and Science Academy.

In addition to being bilingual/biliterate herself and having a strong background as a teacher and 12 years in leadership, she’s a mother of three children who benefitted from a dual immersion education. “My twins were fortunate to go through a dual language program in elementary. They have both graduated from college and are bilingual and biliterate in Spanish.” Aguirre is excited to be able to offer those same opportunities to students living in the Natomas community. “It’s a huge advantage when you are able to speak two languages. I even noticed higher test scores from my students enrolled in the dual language program compared to those who were not.”

Liz Aguirre, principal of Heredia-Arriaga School in Natomas Unified School District

Aguirre enjoys being involved in the community. She has been the founder and member of several community organizations aimed at helping to improve education for all children and adults. One organization in particular included building 200 homes for low income families and help with starting businesses for women who never worked before. Another organization that she is passionate about is the Home Visit Project, now a national program that supports parent-teacher home visits. Aguirre was responsible for writing the curriculum in the early stages of the organization.

We are lucky to have her here in Natomas!

To learn more about this new school and when the next informational session will be held, please visit the Natomas Unified School District website at https://natomasunified.org/heredia-arriaga-school/.