Penny Schwinn educational qualifications: Former Tennessee education chief, now picked Deputy Secretary of Education by Trump

Who is Penny Schwinn: President-elect Donald Trump has announced Penny Schwinn as his pick for

Deputy Secretary of Education

. This will place Schwinn at the forefront of shaping and implementing national education policies under the

Trump administration

, along with Linda McMahon who was earlier nominated by Trump for Secretary of Education. In his announcement, Trump lauded Schwinn’s “strong record of delivering results for children and families,” highlighting her deep expertise in educational leadership and her commitment to evidence-based reform.

Schwinn’s educational foundations

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Schwinn grew up in a family devoted to education. Her mother’s nearly four-decade-long career as a public school teacher deeply influenced her professional path. After graduating high school, Schwinn pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, earning her undergraduate degree.
She then advanced her studies with a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University. Schwinn also holds certificates from Harvard Business School and the University of Southern California, along with teaching and administrative credentials.

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Early career and commitment to education

Schwinn began her career in education through Teach for America, teaching in Baltimore and gaining firsthand experience in the challenges and opportunities within urban school systems. This early exposure to education inequities drove her to establish the Capitol Collegiate Academy, a charter school in Sacramento. Her administrative roles across various educational systems showcased her ability to navigate complex educational landscapes and implement meaningful reforms.

Leadership as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Education

From 2019 to 2023, Schwinn served as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Education under Governor Bill Lee. Her tenure coincided with one of the most challenging periods in recent history: the COVID-19 pandemic. Schwinn’s leadership was instrumental in addressing the crisis’s impact on education, as she spearheaded targeted relief programs to mitigate learning loss and ensure that students, particularly those most affected by the pandemic, received the resources they needed.
One of Schwinn’s signature achievements in Tennessee was the overhaul of the state’s

school funding formula

. This reform ensured that funding followed students and allocated additional resources to those with greater needs, a move widely praised for its equity-focused approach. Schwinn also prioritized improving literacy rates, launching initiatives to enhance teacher training and expand evidence-based literacy practices.

Post-COVID recovery of schooling amid persistent challenges

In the aftermath of COVID-19, Schwinn led efforts to address the educational disruptions caused by the pandemic. Tennessee’s education department under her leadership implemented innovative programs to close learning gaps, particularly for students in underserved communities. Despite these successes, Schwinn’s tenure was not without controversy. High turnover rates within the education department and criticism over insufficient consultation with legislators on new initiatives sparked debates about her leadership style. Additionally, her handling of sensitive topics like race and history in education drew mixed reactions from cultural conservatives and progressives alike.

Transition to National Leadership

After leaving her role in Tennessee, Schwinn served briefly as Vice President at the University of Florida, further solidifying her credentials in educational leadership. Now, all set to take the Deputy Secretary of Education, she is expected to work closely with Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education. Schwinn’s alignment with Trump’s emphasis on school choice and state-centered

education reform

positions her as a key player in shaping the administration’s educational agenda.