LaFontaine, Hernán (1934-)

Hernán LaFontaine, one of the founders of the National Association for Bilingual Education, is a native New Yorker whose parents came from Puerto Rico. He was born and raised in East Harlem, popularly known as “El Barrio.” He attended public schools and earned his BS and MA degrees in science from the City College of New York. After serving 2 years in the army, he worked as a chemist with a pharmaceutical firm. His involvement with the community and his interest in young people prompted him to change careers and enter the teaching profession. This entry describes his career.

LaFontaine taught science and mathematics in New York City at the junior high and high school levels and then became an assistant principal. In 1968, while enrolled in the doctoral program at Fordham University, he was appointed principal of P.S. 25 in the Bronx, the first completely bilingual school in New York City. Working with the South Bronx community, he planned and directed the establishment of the school, developing a theoretical framework to implement an elementary school curriculum incorporating bilingual education, and this innovative educational program flourished. He obtained federal funding to support the program through Title VII and actively disseminated information about it. During this time, he also developed the first complete program of courses leading to a master of arts in bilingual education at New York University. Addressing educational issues for English language learners became a major focus of his professional life.

In 1972, LaFontaine was tapped to direct the newly established Office of Bilingual Education in the New York City Board of Education, assisting schools in implementing bilingual programs for 75,000 students. Among his responsibilities was the distribution and monitoring of funds specifically allocated for bilingual programs. He worked closely with the city's Commission on Bilingual Education and other community groups to develop recommendations for implementing a consent decree reached between ASPIRA of New York and the Board of Education, as well as policies to meet requirements related to the Supreme Court's Lau v. Nichols decision.

During this time, LaFontaine's pioneering work in bilingual education earned him national and international recognition as an educational leader. In addition to his work in the Office of Bilingual Education, he was actively involved in the establishment of local, state, and national professional organizations including the Puerto Rican Educators' Association of New York City, the New York State Association for Bilingual Education, and the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). In 1976, he was elected president of NABE, and served with distinction to lay the foundation for the growth of the organization.

In 1979, LaFontaine was appointed superintendent of the Hartford, Connecticut, school system. He continued in that position until his retirement in 1991, the longest tenure of any superintendent in the history of the Hartford public schools. Under his leadership, considerable progress was made in improving student achievement, revising and standardizing the academic curriculum, and establishing computer-based education. Bilingual education was a strong component of the schooling offered to the city's English language learners. LaFontaine also continued his active communication with parents, community members, and businesses, to involve them in the education of Hartford's students.

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