U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Alabama as part of two national initiatives: the Returning Education to the States Tour and the History Rocks! Trail to Independence tour. The purpose of these tours is to engage with local communities on educational practices and to promote civic literacy among students in advance of America’s 250th birthday.
During her visit, Secretary McMahon toured Lee Elementary School in Satsuma, where she observed classrooms, including those serving students with disabilities. She then traveled to Auburn University in Auburn, where she visited the engineering building and met with university leadership. Discussions focused on higher education topics such as student-athlete protection and collegiate athletic scholarships.
Secretary McMahon also participated in the History Rocks! tour at Satsuma High School. She joined an assembly attended by more than 700 students from seventh through twelfth grades. Students took part in interactive games about American history and civics, emphasizing Alabama’s role in national history. The event featured remarks from Principal Jason Golden, Superintendent Dana Price, former Auburn University men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl, and Secretary McMahon.
“It was a joy to visit Alabama today, listening to educators, visiting classrooms, and seeing firsthand how local communities lead the way,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “From elementary classrooms to Auburn’s engineering labs, Alabama is showing how strong civic principles and workforce preparation go hand in hand. Watching students proudly raise flags, stand for the anthem, and dive into America’s history isn’t politics—it’s patriotism. I’m encouraged to see how Alabama, in many ways, is helping students safeguard the values that make our nation exceptional while preparing them for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
The Returning Education to the States Tour involves Secretary McMahon traveling across all 50 states to gather insights from teachers, parents, and community leaders about effective educational strategies. The goal is to compile a toolkit of best practices for distribution nationwide.
The History Rocks! initiative is part of broader efforts by the U.S. Department of Education leading up to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. This initiative is coordinated with Freedom 250—an organization responsible for presidential programming during the anniversary—and supported by partnerships such as the America 250 Civics Education Coalition.
Freedom 250 focuses on uniting Americans around commemorating national history and expanding opportunities for future generations. The America 250 Civics Education Coalition includes groups like America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, along with over 50 other organizations dedicated to promoting civic education across the country.
