Conversation focused on family members’ perspectives on education and pandemic recovery
Las Vegas, Nev.- Yesterday, Nevada State Superintendent for Public Instruction Jhone Ebert, Lieutenant Governor Lisa Cano Burkhead, and 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey joined U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona for a conversation with family members regarding the impacts of COVID-19 on education and ongoing pandemic recovery.
“I appreciate the perspectives and vulnerability that Las Vegas parents shared with me this week, and as I head back to Washington D.C., I will be taking their stories with me,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “I encourage educators and family members of Nevada’s students to continue demonstrating their passion and sense of urgency. Coming together, supporting one another, and leaning on this community – that is how we will continue to get through this time of pandemic recovery.”
“Parents and family members have stepped up in meaningful ways to support their students through the last two school years,” said Jhone Ebert, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I extend gratitude to Secretary Cardona and all family members who joined us to share their perspectives on what our students and families need most in this current phase of pandemic recovery.”
“As a 25-year educator, I know that bringing together students, parents and educators into a community is essential to students’ academic success — and that has never been more true than during the pandemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Lisa Cano Burkhead. “I was pleased to join Secretary Cardona in hearing directly from parents and families today and I will continue to champion parents and educators and uplift our students so they are ready to write Nevada’s future.”
“The joyous and just education that all students deserve requires deeply listening to their families and celebrating their cultures,” said Juliana Urtubey, 2021 National Teacher of the Year. “I was honored to participate in this conversation with Sec. Cardona, Lt. Gov. Burkhead, Superintendent Ebert, and these dedicated Las Vegas family members.”
The conversation took place at Matt Kelly Elementary School as part of Secretary Cardona’s visit to Nevada and series of pandemic recovery discussions. Access photos from the conversation with parents and Secretary Cardona’s visit here.
ABOUT THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators.