NEWPORT, Rhode Island (WPRI) — U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona is scheduled to speak with education leaders around New England on Monday morning in Newport.

Cardona will join School Board Angelica Infante Green and education and business leaders at the annual New England Chiefs of Education Conference.

They will discuss how to build stronger pathways and accelerate learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Dan McKee was also scheduled to attend until he tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.

On Sunday, Cardona spoke at Face the Nation about how she hopes funding from the American Relief Plan will be brought in amid the teacher shortage.

“So we’re using federally funded funding from the American Rescue Plan to bring back retired teachers and work with colleges and universities to help student teachers start their professional careers sooner. let’s do it,’ he said. He said. “We think it’s important that students learn more this year, not less.”

Cardona added that in addition to providing competitive salaries for teachers, educators need to provide support and working conditions that make them feel connected to the community.

The meeting will start at 9:00 am at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.