2023 USSYP Yearbook - Flipbook - Page 23
“Each of you has a superpower – use it to help others grow.”
Education Secretary Dr. Miguel Cardona
EDUCATION SECRETARY
Miguel Cardona
D
r. Miguel Cardona, the twelfth U.S. Secretary of Education, began his
remarks by thanking the delegates for serving in the elected and appointed
leadership roles that have improved their schools and communities. He
encouraged them to continue developing an intuitive and inclusive leadership
approach. “You can be the good roots that help the branches flourish. When
you grow, others grow. All of you are going to have incredible opportunities to
make a difference in very big ways, but don’t forget the power of recognizing
the potential in others.” The child of immigrants, former elementary school
teacher, and later, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education emphasized
the importance of cherishing the unique traits and talents in ourselves and
in others. “I wish I could go back and tell 5-year-old me that bilingualism was
my superpower, because back then I didn’t feel that way. What I didn’t know
then was that it was a superpower that allows me to do more in my current
job, in so many ways.” Secretary Cardona answered numerous questions
ranging from the impact of COVID-19 on education, the importance of
social-emotional learning and mental health support in schools, the need
for greater multilingualism and multiculturalism in curricula, his goal to attract
and retain high-quality teachers and how best to harness hybrid educational
models for learning optimization. Commending the 2023 delegates, Secretary
Cardona said: “I’ve seen what your generation can do. I’ve seen what you’re
already doing, and that makes me very hopeful for the future of our country.”
(BELOW) Secretary Cardona with Connecticut delegates Sciana Vertusma and Cierra O’Sullivan
UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM 2023 | 21
