John B. King, Jr. Delivers Parting Message Via Education Department's Instagram
In his final days as Secretary of Education under the Obama Administration, John B. King, Jr. has taken time to reflect on the year he spent heading the Department.
King's final message has come from the U.S. Department of Education's Instagram account.
"Today is a bittersweet day for me. It's the last time I will communicate with you as your Education Secretary," King began the post.
King thanks the people he encountered who "care deeply about education," including teachers, youth mentors and others who offer community support services.
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He also reflects on how the Obama Administration has been able to improve education over the last eight years.
"Over these eight years, we increased access to quality preschool for thousands of children and families; raised graduation rates to the highest level in history; improved students' access to technology; invested in innovations in teaching and learning; and increased college access, affordability, and completion," he wrote.
"We have worked to protect students' civil rights and advocate for students who are most vulnerable, including foster youth, young people in juvenile justice facilities, homeless youth, students with disabilities, English learners, children from low-income families, and students of color."
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King emphasized just how important access to quality education is, talking once again about how his life was changed for the better thanks to his experience in a public school.
"Quality, equitable public education is essential to a strong democracy, a thriving economy, and increased opportunity for all," he wrote.
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King ended the post with a shout out to First Lady Michelle Obama, who spent her time in the White House advocating for various education issues—like increasing access to education for girls on a global scale and improving the nutritional content of food offered in U.S. schools.
"Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise," King remembers Obama said.
Going forward, King commits to continuing his work in education.