Miguel A. Cardona is an American educator who served as the 12th United States Secretary of Education under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025. Born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1975 to Puerto Rican parents, Cardona grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and learned English upon entering kindergarten. He began his career as a fourth-grade teacher and, at 27, became the youngest principal in Connecticut's history. Cardona's tenure as Secretary of Education focused on addressing educational disparities and promoting bilingual and bicultural education, reflecting his commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all students.