AFT President On Nomination Of New Secretary Of Education: “Will Linda McMahon Support Us As We Teach Students?”

By Randi Weingarten Photos: YouTube Screenshots WASHINGTON—In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement: “While the job of education secretary should not be a consolation prize, we are pleased that Linda McMahon wanted to teach in her early life and that her work on the Connecticut State Board of Education led to her interest in literacy and building career pathways. “We will try to work with anyone who puts the aspirations of our students, families and communities first. That means strengthening public education, not undermining it. Voters made it clear that’s what they wanted in November’s down-ballot elections. “We look forward to learning more about Linda McMahon, and if she is confirmed we will reach out to her as we did with Betsy DeVos at the beginning of her tenure. We hope Donald Trump means it when he says he wants a focus on project-based instruction, career and technical education and apprenticeships. This will improve education and job options, making schools more relevant and engaging for young people. “But we question the future of these popular ideas and more if the Trump administration follows...