Miguel Cardona, Connecticut’s education commissioner and former public school teacher, to be President-elect Joe Biden administration’s secretary of education. He is the third official of Latino origin chosen by Biden for his cabinet, after Xavier Becerra for the Department of Health and Alejandro Mayorkas for the Department of Homeland Security.
Cardona was appointed to the top education post in Connecticut just months before the pandemic broke out in March. When schools switched to distance learning, he rushed to deliver more than 100,000 laptops to students across the state. Since then, however, he has increasingly lobbied schools to reopen, saying it is detrimental to keep students at home.
Miguel Cardona Wiki: Age, Birthday, Parents, Siblings
Miguel was born on 11th July 1975 in a polar housing project of Meriden, Connecticut. His father Hector Cardona is a retired police officer who served in the force for 32 years. Whereas Miguel’s mother Sarah Cardona is a housewife who raised her children with dignity and instilled the education of hard work, family devotion, and service to the community.
Cardona’s sister Marisol is a social worker and his brother Hector Jr. Is a sergeant detective with the Meriden Police. His parents both are Puerto Rican and Spanish is their first language, English is the second.
Miguel’s grandfather was a tobacco farmer who migrated to the USA in search of a better life for himself and his family. His grandfather had a mere second-grade education but still managed to settle and build a life in the USA.
Miguel Cardona Education
Miguel attended a public school at first in his hometown and then went on to Wilcox Technical High School with a focus on automotive studies. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. He earned his Master’s degree, Doctorate, and superintendent certification from UConn’s Neag School of Education.
Miguel Cardona Career Bio
Cardona began his career in his hometown Meriden as a teacher in public school. He went through the city’s public schools before returning to work as a fourth-grade teacher in the district in 1998. At age 28, he became the youngest principal of Hanover Elementary School in Meriden in 2003 before being promoted to deputy superintendent of the district.
As an educator, Miguel has dedicated his work to improving the education of English learners and closing the gaps between students of color and their white peers. Both issues have been perennial struggles in Connecticut, which for decades has had one of the largest performance gaps in the nation.
The pandemic has only increased concern about inequality in education. In a September video message to special education teachers, he said the pandemic has further exacerbated achievement gaps. Those concerns prompted his work with Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont to provide computers and wireless Internet devices to students across the state. Despite his occasional conflicts, a coalition of Connecticut education unions previously supported his candidacy as Biden’s secretary of education.
The work and dedication of Cardona have made Biden see Miguel as the top candidate for the post of Secretary of education. It will be a tough job for Cardona to resume education in school once again in the midst of pandemics. Biden’s top priority is to open school within the 100 days of his administration. It will be up to Cardona to build the environment and make the task possible.
Miguel Cardona Wife, Married Life, Children
Miguel Cardona is married to his beautiful wife Marissa Pérez Cardona and the couple has two children Celine and Miguel Jr.
Both children attend Meriden public school like their father. Marissa Pérez was a former Miss Connecticut in 2001.
The couple has raised their children just like Cardino’s mother. Miguel has given the foremost importance to his family and credits his family support for what he has achieved to date.
Miguel Cardona Salary, Net Worth, & Earnings 2021
Cardona was appointed as assistant superintendent in 2017 and he earned a decent salary of $165430 at the time. He also has a $2000 doctoral degree benefit and a $1250 longevity payment.
As commissioner of the state department of education, Miguel Cardona earned a salary of $192,500. He will be the next appointee for the Secretary of Education in the United States for which Miguel will make more than $207,800 in salary.
And combining all of his income accumulated throughout these years, Miguel Cardona’s net worth is around $2.6 Million as of 2021.
Miguel Cardona Social Media
Miguel is active only on Twitter with his account @teachcardona which he joined in August 2012. he has to date 11.2k followers, he has identified himself as Husband, Father of 2, Connecticut Commissioner of Education, National Distinguished Principal, and lover of music.
Quick Facts and Information on Miguel Cardona
Full Name/Real Name | Miguel Cardona |
Date of Birth/Birthday | 11th July 1975 |
Age | 45 |
Birth Sign | Cancer |
Born Country | USA |
Nationality | American |
Hometown | Meriden, Connecticut |
Ethnicity | White |
Parents | Hector Cardona and Sarah Cardona |
Siblings | Marisol sister and Hector Jr. Brother |
Profession | Educator |
Education(college/university) | UConn’s Neag School of Education |
Marital status | Married |
Wife | Marissa Pérez Cardona |
Children | Celine and Miguel Jr. |
Social Media | |
Salary | $192,500 |
Net Worth | $2.6 Million |
Eye color | Blue |