Trump picks former Texas school official for Deputy Secretary of Education role

article

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Tennessee Commissioner of Education Dr Penny Schwinn testified at the House Education Committee on Capitol Hill on July 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony on how to safely reopen schools. School d

Expand

The woman picked by president-elect Trump to serve as the next United States Deputy Secretary of Education previously helped oversee public education in Texas.

Penny Schwinn

On Saturday, president-elect Trump made the announcement that Penny Schwinn, the former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education, is his pick to serve as the United States Deputy Secretary of Education.

Before taking her job in Tennessee, Schwinn served as the Deputy Commissioner of Standards and Engagement, Deputy Commissioner of Special Populations and Monitoring, and Chief Deputy Commissioner of Academics for the Texas Education Agency.

She left the position in 2019.

Schwinn also worked as the Assistant Secretary of Education of Delaware.

President-elect Trump previously selected Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, to lead the Department of Education. A Senate hearing for McMahon has not yet been scheduled.

If confirmed, Schwinn, a former teacher, would bring K-12 experience as the department's second in command.

On the campaign trail, Trump discussed the idea of cutting the Department of Education.

What they're saying:

"A former teacher herself, Penny became the founding principal of a charter school, because she believes in the power of School Choice, and is committed to delivering the American Dream to the next Generation by returning Education BACK TO THE STATES," wrote Trump on social media.