By THE ALASKA STORY
May 7, 2026 – Secretary of Education Linda McMahon made a stop in the Mat-Su Valley this week as part of her nationwide tour marking America’s 250th anniversary, visiting two schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District alongside Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop.
The tour began at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, where Principal Jason Ross guided McMahon and Bishop through several of the school’s hands-on vocational training programs that have made the campus a standout in Alaska education.
The delegation toured the school’s forestry program, private pilot and airframes construction facility, and student-involved teacher housing construction area. Students had the opportunity to speak directly with the Secretary, sharing their experiences and explaining why the school’s career-focused approach has resonated with them.
The school, known for blending academics with workforce preparation, offers students pathways into aviation, construction, heavy equipment operation, welding, health careers, and other technical fields tied closely to Alaska’s economy.
McMahon later visited Knik Charter School with Principal Jason Moen, where she met with students and teachers and participated in a “History Rocks!” event celebrating American history ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.
Students demonstrated their knowledge of U.S. history and listened to remarks from both McMahon and Bishop encouraging civic engagement, patriotism, and educational excellence.
The Alaska visit is one stop on McMahon’s broader 50-state tour intended to highlight schools and programs preparing students for the country’s future while commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The Mat-Su visit also underscored Alaska’s growing emphasis on career and technical education programs that connect students directly to trades and industries facing workforce shortages across the state.
4 thoughts on “Secretary of Education McMahon stops in Alaska as part of 50-state tour”
Somebody tell him Alaskans k-12 youth still can’t read or they read very poorly
All the tooting one’s horn the Matsu bureaucrats show how full of themselves are that they don’t even see Matsu students are no different than ASD students and both can’t read and both unprepared for any workforce
Surprised the they/them superintendent didn’t (like with Dr. Ben Carson) tell the madam,secretary that she’s not welcome here.
Proud of all Matsu has done over the years to keep up with the needs of students sure appreciate the current school board as well. And kudos to Diana Bishop, who has set a standard of excellence in the Matsu for a very long time.