The U.S. Secretary of Education was in West Hartford Thursday afternoon, speaking with aspiring educators at the University of Saint Joseph.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks to students at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford on Oct. 20. Courtesy photo

Submitted

U.S. Secretary of Education and Meriden native Dr. Miguel Cardona visited with aspiring educators at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) on Thursday. Secretary Cardona traveled to the University on an unofficial visit to hear from students at USJ about their interest in pursuing a career in education.

Secretary Cardona’s visit comes at an important time when the shortage of trained teachers impacts public schools in Connecticut and across the nation. USJ’s work to prepare effective teachers has never been more important than it is now, compounded by the need to also support students to recover learning lost during the pandemic.

The University has instituted innovative programming and partnerships to help remedy the shortage of certified teachers by improving the pipeline of trained educators to teacher-staff public school positions. For example, USJ just celebrated its two-year partnership in a student-teacher training program with Bloomfield Public Schools to address the growing shortage of public-school teachers and the need to diversify the education workforce. Another partnership with East Hartford Public Schools is also thriving. Both partnerships provided important training and a bridge to the community need during the pandemic.

“We are so happy to have Secretary Cardona visit the USJ campus and talk with our students. He provided inspiring guidance to our future teachers and leaders,” said USJ’s Director of Clinical Practice, Department of Education Dr. Dianna Wentzel.

Programs in the USJ Education department focus on the preparation of teachers for initial teacher licensure (pre-service teacher education) and providing continuing education opportunities, including cross-endorsements, for licensed practitioners (in-service teachers).

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