On February 8th, 2023, the U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona visited Omaha, Nebraska, making stops at Bryan High School and Educational Service Unit #3. Secretary Cardona had been invited by ESU #3 Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dan Schnoes to make his first official visit to our state.
At ESU #3, Dr. Cardona met with Nebraska school leaders, therapists, mental health professionals, and students to discuss what those stakeholder groups are experiencing as the country faces a youth mental health crisis. His visit was to seek input from Nebraska schools and other organizations in the state who are implementing innovative programs in an effort to have a positive impact on student and educator mental health.
The Good Life EDU Podcast episode features Dr. Dan Schnoes, CEO at ESU 3, whose advocacy led to the Secretary’s visit. We also welcome several Nebraska education leaders including Dr. Kraig Lofquist, Dr. John Skretta, Dr. Scott Blum, and Dr. McKayla LaBorde who all provide their own personal insights about this event. Additionally, Dr. Joan Wade, the Executive Director of AESA, joins us to provide some national context regarding the significance of this historic visit, the first where an acting US Secretary of Education has visited a service agency.