President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he has selected Penny Schwinn, the former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education, to serve as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Schwinn has a wealth of experience in education, having overseen Tennessee’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, implemented a school voucher program under Gov. Bill Lee, and reformed the state’s school funding formula.
Her previous roles include deputy commissioner at the Texas Education Agency, where she focused on standards, special populations, and academics, as well as assistant secretary of education in Delaware.
Trump congratulated Schwinn, highlighting her background as a former teacher, founding principal of a charter school, and advocate for school choice.
He emphasized her commitment to returning educational control to the states, aligning with his vision for the future of American education.