U of A Doctoral Graduate Helping Dallas School District Revamp Language Program

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Ricky Adamson

DALLAS -- Stephen “Ricky” Adamson of Forrest City accepted a job this past summer as director of world languages for the Dallas Independent School District.

Adamson, who speaks fluent French, intermediate Spanish and conversational Japanese, received his doctorate in curriculum and instruction in foreign and second language education from the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas in 2013. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Arkansas State University in 1996 and 2007.

Adamson now leads the department that consists of about 200 instructors and 26,000 students who are enrolled in a foreign language course throughout the Dallas area. In his new position, Adamson makes the curriculum decisions and works with other content areas to help improve the overall effectiveness of the world languages program.

“The most challenging part of the job is trying to revamp the program,” Adamson said, “making sure it’s relevant and meets the needs of 26,000 students so that they are better prepared for the 21st century global marketplace.”

Combined with helping to improve the world languages program, Adamson provides the teachers with the tools and support they need in order to give the students the best education possible.

Adamson previously worked for about a year as an instructional specialist in world languages in the Dallas district. The Dallas school district is the second largest in Texas and the 14th largest in the United States.