Miguel Cardona

“I think we have to really look at that to make sure that we are providing public health safety for everyone.”

“We need unity across our country.”

“While in college, a voice in my head sometimes questioned if I really belonged, but I had mentors and family members who encouraged me.”

“The issue of helping children succeed - that doesn't have party lines.”

“We had the cost of college preventing people from thinking about college because they didn't want to be buried in debt. We must do better.”

“We have to make sure that we're acknowledging the contributions of Latinos so that students see themselves in the curriculum and are more engaged in their learning.”

“I'm not a politician. I'm an educator.”

“We have to implement strategies to address the social-emotional needs of our students.”

“Let's invest in our local schools to make sure that teachers have a livable wage.”

“It's important to remember that absenteeism is a symptom of deeper issues. And the issues could be anything from children that have to translate for their parents at a doctor's appointment or at an appointment for a younger sibling, to children having housing insecurity who don't have a way to get to where they're supposed to go.”

“As secretary of education, a parent, and a former teacher and principal, I've seen that no matter a parent's political leaning, their top priority is making sure that their child has access to a school where they can learn and feel welcome, and a quality education where they can succeed in whichever career they choose.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest and most complex challenge our education system has experienced. It has been extraordinary to see schools, educators and families face this challenge head-on and continue to educate our students.”

“I was fortunate to have a supportive family that encouraged my success in school.”

“Being of Puerto Rican descent, but born in Connecticut, I have always had an awareness of my Hispanic heritage, and like many students, struggled with my identity growing up.”

“I grew up in a working-class community. I was the first in my family to attend college, thanks in large part to financial aid and access to a public university.”

“As an educator, if you ever feel like the job is done and you could punch out, you should have been gone a long time ago.”

“I urge state, local, and elected officials to make sure classroom teachers have a voice in your plans and efforts to reimagine education; second to parents, they know our students best.”

“Burnout is real. I get it.”

“As I said, before, talking to educators, students and parents, they recognize the importance of our schools and them being open full time.”

“Community schools, mental health access, enough reading teachers, enough professional staff, a competitive salary. Those are the things that keep schools going.”