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It was inevitable that José Angel Cárdenas would spend most of his professional life working in the development of multicultural and bilingual programs. He was born in Laredo, Texas, in 1930 with an extensive number of relatives on both sides of the U.S.­Mexico border. In his fourth book, Dr. Cárdenas combines laughter and insight as he re­lives his encounters growing up in a multicultural environment. He depicts the cultural influence of Mexico and the Spanish­speaking world on a Mexican American living in the United States.

“I remember sometimes saying that I was born with my right foot in the United States and my left foot in Mexico. I specifically designate my left foot as the Spanish­speaking one because I was taught in the U.S. Army that the left foot always comes first, and Spanish was my first language.” – José A. Cárdenas

In addition to illustrating his childhood capers and his travels throughout Central and South America, Dr. Cárdenas provides compelling reflections of multicultural topics such as wealth, class, language, religion, education and family. Dr. Cárdenas served more than 47 years as a professional educator and is the founder and director emeritus of the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA). IDRA is based in San Antonio and works with schools across the country and internationally to improve education for all children.

It was inevitable that José Angel Cárdenas would spend most of his professional life working in the development of multicultural and bilingual programs. He was born in Laredo, Texas, in 1930 with an extensive number of relatives on both sides of the U.S.­Mexico border. In his fourth book, Dr. Cárdenas combines laughter and insight as he re­lives his encounters growing up in a multicultural environment. He depicts the cultural influence of Mexico and the Spanish­speaking world on a Mexican American living in the United States.

“I remember sometimes saying that I was born with my right foot in the United States and my left foot in Mexico. I specifically designate my left foot as the Spanish­speaking one because I was taught in the U.S. Army that the left foot always comes first, and Spanish was my first language.” – José A. Cárdenas

In addition to illustrating his childhood capers and his travels throughout Central and South America, Dr. Cárdenas provides compelling reflections of multicultural topics such as wealth, class, language, religion, education and family. Dr. Cárdenas served more than 47 years as a professional educator and is the founder and director emeritus of the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA). IDRA is based in San Antonio and works with schools across the country and internationally to improve education for all children.