The Biden administration has named Miguel Cardona, Connecticut’s education commissioner, as the U.S. Secretary of Education nominee.
Perhaps most notably for CTE educators, Cardona is a graduate of Wilcox Technical High School in Connecticut, where he concentrated on automotive studies. Later, he began his career as an elementary school teacher, and then served as a school principal for 10 years. After he was a principal, Mr. Cardona moved on to become the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in Connecticut, and ended up at his current position as the Connecticut Education Commissioner beginning in August 2019.
Throughout the pandemic, he has been working closely with Connecticut schools to provide support to reopen schools as soon as safely possible. Mr. Cardona has also provided funds for PPE and technology materials for both in-person and remote learning, such as funding for masks, plexiglass, laptops and internet access so that every student has the ability to learn from home if needed.
Cardone is originally from Puerto Rico and did not speak English when he arrived, so he is very supportive of helping close the opportunity gap for students who speak English as a second language. He is a big proponent of dual language programs so English learners can keep their first language and continue learning English. Other issues that Mr. Cardona may address during his tenure are teacher pay and support, providing mental health supports in the education system, helping with student loan debt and ensuring universal preschool for every three- and four-year olds.
As a cabinet-level appointee, Mr. Cardona will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Following the president-elect’s Inauguration in January, Cardona will first appear in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for confirmation hearings. If Cardona is approved by the committee, his appointment will then move to the full Senate where he will need 51 votes for confirmation. With Mr. Cardona’s background as a former student in CTE, we are hopeful he will continue to view CTE as a critical component of ensuring today’s students are prepared for college and career success.
I started school speaking mostly Spanish myself. I love to see how in the United States, students are given the opportunity to learn and there's no telling how far a student can go. I myself work in education now after 30+ years in my construction career as a Finish Carpenter. I love Miguel Cardona's story.
Posted by: Alberto Nevarez | 12/25/2020 at 09:23 PM