U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visits the Academies of Hampton

U. S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, along with U.S. Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, State Senator Mamie Locke, and Virginia Delegates Jeion Ward and Marcia Price visited Hampton City Schools to tour the Academies of Hampton at Bethel High School and highlight the importance of career readiness programs. Bethel houses the following academies: Freshman Academy; Transportation, Analytics, Information, and Logistics (TRAIL), Governor’s Health Science; Law and Public Safety; and Media Arts and Design.

Additional visitors included members of the Newport News School Board and City Council; the Hampton School Board and City Council; the Mayors of Newport News and Hampton; Hampton City Manager Mary Bunting; and members of the Hampton City Schools Division Leadership Team; students; and teachers.

Following a welcome, visitors attended a 30-minute tour of the academies to see teachers in action and students learning.

Cardona said he’d like to see what is happening at Bethel recreated nationwide.

“We have pathways for students with highly engaging instruction, caring individuals, and a school that has a positive climate. These students have access to careers and pathways to college,” said Cardona. 

The tour concluded with a Roundtable Discussion that included Secretary Cardona, Congressman Scott, State Senator Locke, Delegates Ward and Price, Superintendent Dr. Jeffery Smith, Hampton School Board Chair Dr. Richard Mason, HCS Chief of Secondary Leadership Dr. Raymond Haynes, Hampton City Manager Bunting, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck, BHS Teacher Tracy Cornell, BHS Teacher Heather Woodruff, Academies of Hampton Director Veronica Hurd, BHS Principal Ralph Saunders, and BHS teacher Natashia Hill.

 

Click here to see a short vdeo highlighting the visit.