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Washington DC – When presented as a candidate for the United States Secretary of Education, Puerto Rican Miguel Cardona today recognized the challenges the coronavirus pandemic is imposing on education and highlighted public schools as “the great social leveler.”
“While we are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, we also know that this crisis is underway, that we will bear its impact for years to come, and that the problems and inequalities that plagued our education system long before COVID will continue. be with us even after the virus is remote “said Cardona, the current Connecticut State Commissioner of Education, who described President-elect Joe Biden “The Minister of Education at the moment”.
Cardona, Biden noted, not only made sure that every student in his state had computers and an Internet connection so they could receive education remotely, he then led the process to the safe reopening of Connecticut public schools.
Biden has asked Americans to commit to wearing face masks and promote the reopening of most public schools during the first 100 days of his tenure, which begins Jan. 20.
“Reopening schools safely will be a national priority in the Biden-Harris administration. Early next year, I will present to Congress our plans for what comes next. That includes funds to keep educators in employment, just like we did during the take-back campaign that saved 400,000 educational jobs. And it also means asking Congress to provide the necessary funds so that we can achieve an ambitious but achievable goal of opening most schools safely at the end of our first 100 days, ”he said.
If confirmed, Cardona, 45, with a doctorate in education, would be the United States’ second secretary of education of Puerto Rican descent. The first was John King, who has a Puerto Rican mother and was appointed by then President Barack Obama. King posted a statement of support for Cardona last night.
Cardona’s parents – Héctor and Sara Cardona – were born in Meriden, Connecticut, and are from Aguada, Puerto Rico. In his post, he also mentioned his grandparents, who brought their family to Connecticut, and claimed that “I’m bilingual and bicultural, I’m as American as apple pie and rice with beans.”
Commissioner Cardona began his career as a teacher in the fourth grade. At the age of 28, he became the state’s youngest headmaster. In 2012 he was named Connecticut Principal of the Year.
Cardona said it’s time to open new opportunities in the midst of the crisis that sparked the coronavirus pandemic and “Build something better than what we had.” “A pandemic shouldn’t be necessary for us to realize the importance of teachers in this country”, said.
“I am blessed to attend public schools in my town, Meriden, Connecticut,” added Cardona, noting that he grew up in a public housing community and that his parents asked him in life the importance of hard work, of serving to community and education ”.
Speaking of the challenges he will face as Minister of Education, Cardona indicated in Spanish “The power is in the combination”.
Biden reaffirms promises
In his post, Biden reaffirmed his promise to promote higher teacher salaries, cancel up to $ 10,000 in student debt, and provide free education to high school students at public universities whose families have incomes of less than $ 125,000.
Biden announced his intention to appoint Cardona as the next United States Secretary of Education last night.
“In Miguel Cardona, the United States will have an experienced and dedicated public school teacher who will be at the forefront of the Department of Education, ensuring that every student is equipped to thrive in the economy of the future, that every teacher has the resources they need to do their job with dignity and success, and that every school is ready to reopen safely ‘ ”said Biden, who noted that Cardona is“ brilliant, qualified and proven ”.
For her part, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris confirmed that the Puerto Rican educator “is not only a skilled public servant, he is also a former public school teacher and administrator who understands what our students, teachers and schools need to to be successful. ” .
“It’s a historic selection,” said Puerto Rican Democratic Congressman Nydia Velázquez (New York), emphasizing that Cardona understands how to respond to the needs of schools in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and contrasts with outgoing secretary, Betsy The Fox.
Puerto Rican Cardona is said to be the third Hispanic to be selected for his cabinet by Biden. The other two are Xavier Becerra, who will be proposed as Health Minister, and Alejandro Mayorkas, who has been selected by Biden as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Former Secretary King said Cardona’s experience learning English while in school and first in his family to college is “inspiring and reflects the experiences of many students.”
The current Connecticut education commissioner has had the support of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Power4PuertoRico coalition, and the Hispanic Federation, among others.
A few days ago, the Connecticut government announced that from the 2021-2022 school year, the public education system will begin offering an elective for high school students on African American, Black, Latino, and Puerto Rican studies.