U.S. Secretary of Education visits NNPS
Posted: January 9, 2026
United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Newport News Public Schools on January 8 as part of her department's History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour in celebration of the United States' upcoming 250th birthday.
McMahon's morning stop at An Achievable Dream Middle & High School included a tour of four classrooms and an assembly for students that engaged students in learning historical facts and figures.
Governor Glenn Youngkin; State Senator Danny Diggs; Delegate Shelly Simonds; aides to Congressman Bobby Scott; Mayor Phillip Jones; City Council member John Eley; School Board Chair Dr. Terri Best; Vice Chair Maritsa Alger, School Board Members Rebecca Aman, Douglas Brown, Rasheena Harris, Gary Hunter and Lisa Surles-Law; Sheriff Gabe Morgan; Police Chief Steve Drew; Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell; An Achievable Dream, Inc., President and CEO Dr. Lee Vreeland; An Achievable Dream, Inc., board members and An Achievable Dream Middle & High School Principal Debbie Hudgins were in attendance.
"Today is indeed a special day for our school community as we welcome a national leader whose visit highlights the importance of history, civics and active citizenship," Mitchell said.
Heritage High School's NJROTC provided the color guard and An Achievable Dream students sang the National Anthem.
Hudgins, Jones, Best, Vreeland and Mitchell gave remarks as the gym full of students welcomed McMahon to the city and school. She spoke about the important role Virginia has played in U.S. history and how that fits into her current tour of the nation's schools.
"History isn't just something in a book; it's alive in each and every one of you and you're making history every single day," McMahon said. "You are the next generation of great Virginians. And thank you to An Achievable Dream for your energy and your commitment to excellence."
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, Secretary McMahon and other education leaders will visit schools in all 50 states to recognize excellence in civics education and promote a shared understanding of the principles that shaped the founding and history of our nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The tour began in early December and highlights excellence in patriotic education, civic literacy and student-driven civics projects in classrooms across the country.
