'Most tone deaf tweet of all time': Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says students' smiles are why he loves teaching

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was pilloried Tuesday after declaring that students' smiles make him love teaching.

"Today’s #LoveTeaching theme is 'Tremendous Tuesday' where we are challenged to tell a 6-word story that describes why you #LoveTeaching. Mine is: The smile on a student's face," he tweeted.

His comment came as many kids around the U.S. have been compelled to wear masks in schools due to concerns about COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal indoor mask-wearing at schools for students and others irrespective of their vaccination status.

Cardona has been a proponent of masking in schools.

"Masks are one of the most effective tools to prevent the spread of the virus & to keep us safe," Cardona tweeted in September when sharing the link to a Washington Post editorial board piece that has a title declaring, "Mask mandate bans are harming our children’s safety."

"As educators, it's our job to keep our schools safe and that requires masks," Cardona tweeted in November.

The irony of Cardona's comment about smiling students was not lost on critics.

"Their smiles are still covered up! UNMASK OUR KIDS!" GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York tweeted.

"My 6-word story: Can't see a masked kid's smile," Virginia Kruta of the Daily Wire tweeted.

"Really? When is the last time you’ve seen a smile on a student’s face? This is yet another example of the Left being completely out of touch with the American people. #UnmaskOurKids" tweeted Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey..

"Most tone deaf tweet of all time," another person tweeted.