Secretary of Education Cardona Meets With Norwalk Students

Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona met with a panel of nine students from throughout Norwalk Public Schools representing the middle and high schools within the district.

Matthew Boguski, Paw Print Editor|February 11, 2022

On January 28th, Norwalk Public Schools hosted the United States Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, with a panel discussion of nine students from throughout the district to represent the nine different middle and high schools asking some burning questions about the job.

Coming from Meridan, Connecticut, Cardona spent his high school career in a trade school in which he thought he would go into the police field as his father had before him. Although through art he was able to express his beliefs on service and community. Cardona’s art teacher recognized this and inspired him to become a teacher. Cardona has not only become a teacher, but he has also become the Secretary of Education for the state of Connecticut, but also the highest position in the field of education, Secretary of Education for the entire nation.

The panel asked a variety of questions to Dr. Cardona. From what motivated him, and what it is like working with the President and Vice President of the United States. To some more hard-hitting questions such as the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the education system, and even what his goals are throughout his short time in office. Cardona made it clear that his intentions were to get his agenda moving as quickly saying, “I ask for a lot because we have a lot of need in education.”

Chosen to represent Norwalk High School, Maria Fe Luque (‘22), summarized her experience, “I was so honored to learn about his goals and aspirations for the nation and it warmed my heart to hear that from a Latino man representing the Hispanic culture in the national government.” Under Cardona, Connecticut announced the highest extended graduation rate for students with disabilities and English Learners, as well as implemented a new national requirement for high schools to have courses on black and Latino studies driving the way forward for equity and inclusion from Connecticut to the entire nation. Maria added, “He is a great man that truly does care about the well-being of all students in America, as he made it clear when he dedicated time from his busy schedule to speak with such a small city like Norwalk.”

The entirety of the panel was live-streamed to classes all around Norwalk and has since been posted on the Norwalk Public Schools YouTube channel.