Biden has pledged to select a teacher to serve as education secretary. Cardona fits in with that plan, starting his career as a primary school teacher in Connecticut nearly two decades ago before becoming principal. He was named the state’s top education officer in August 2019.
Cardona, whose parents moved to Connecticut from Puerto Rico, would be another high-profile Latino in the cabinet if she were confirmed by the US Senate. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has urged Biden to select Cardona.
A formal announcement could come as early as Wednesday.
After the education secretary, Biden has five more cabinet positions to name, including the most important attorney general. That decision is no longer expected to be announced before Christmas, a person familiar with the matter tells CNN, as Biden continues to deliberate on one of the most high-profile positions in his incoming administration. The delay has left him behind on his recent predecessors in choosing a candidate to lead the Justice Department.
Cardona was appointed as a commissioner of education in Connecticut by Democratic Governor Ned Lamont in August 2019. He came into the role with two decades of experience as an educator at a public school in the town of Meriden, according to the state government website, after finishing his career as an elementary school teacher and later as a school principal for 10 years. In 2013, Cardona became the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
According to the state website, he was co-chair of the Connecticut Legislative Performance Gap Task Force and Co-chair of Connecticut’s Board of Leaders from Birth to Grade Three.
The nomination will come because Biden is under pressure to deliver on his promise to appoint a cabinet that reflects America’s diversity.
CNN previously reported that Cardona was being considered for the role. Lily Eskelsen García, who was president of the National Education Association for six years, Leslie Fenwick, the Dean Emeritus of the Howard University School of Education and Professor of Education Policy, and Sharon Contreras, Guilford County, North Carolina, Superintendent of the Schools. also qualify for the job.
Biden has said getting kids back to school safely will be one of his top priorities when he takes office in January. In a recent speech, he said that if Congress provides the necessary funding to protect students, faculty, and staff and Americans follow strict public health measures, “my team will work to ensure that a majority of our schools are open by the end of my studies. can be first 100 days. “
He has also proposed structural changes to the American education system. During his presidential campaign, Biden proposed guaranteeing two years of free community college or other education as part of a higher education plan that would also aim to reduce student loan obligations. His plan includes new spending to improve access to college for low-income, minority, and undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.
The president-elect regularly praises teachers and praises his wife’s educational background. Incoming first lady Jill Biden has a PhD in education and has said she plans to continue working as a professor when Biden becomes president. She taught English at Northern Virginia Community College for eight years as a second lady.
This story has been updated with additional information on Cordero, Biden’s education and coronavirus plans, and reporting on Biden’s attorney general announcement.
CNN’s Kate Sullivan contributed to this report.