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Moroni Elementary showcases 12 years of Spanish dual‑immersion in rural Sanpete County
Summary
North Sanpete School District and Moroni Elementary presented their Spanish dual‑immersion program, citing a roughly 49% Hispanic student population, improved inclusion and English proficiency gains, and reliance on state support for teacher recruitment, professional development and international guest teachers.
North Sanpete School District leaders and Moroni Elementary principal and teachers told the committee that a 12‑year Spanish dual‑immersion program has helped reduce cultural segregation and bolster both English language acquisition and Spanish heritage retention.
Odie Hansen, superintendent of North Sanpete School District, said the district was present to celebrate a locally sustained program rather than to seek additional funding. Principal Stacy Peterson described Moroni’s demographics (about 49% Hispanic and 51% White) and said dual immersion has unified the school and community and created bilingual, biliterate graduates. "We value bilingualism. We see it as a strength and not a barrier," Peterson told the committee.
Talia Casarez, an international guest teacher at Moroni Elementary, said participating in the program changed her life and strengthened parental engagement within the Hispanic community. Two sixth‑grade students also addressed the committee, saying immersion instruction helped them feel more confident and connected.
Committee members thanked the students, teachers and families for traveling to the Capitol and recognized the program as an example of successful rural implementation of dual‑language instruction.
