In a noteworthy move, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Penny Schwinn as his deputy secretary of education.
With a wealth of experience in various educational settings—from teaching to leading charter schools and overseeing state education departments—Schwinn brings a well-rounded perspective to the role.
Penny Schwinn’s Qualifications and Experience
An advocate for school choice, Schwinn will serve alongside Linda McMahon, Trump’s choice for the top position at the Department of Education.
While Schwinn’s background in K-12 education contrasts with McMahon’s successful career in the business world of wrestling, both women share a commitment to reforming education in meaningful ways.
Trump took to Truth Social on January 17 to announce Schwinn’s nomination, mistakenly referring to her as “Peggy” at first, but he quickly corrected that slip.
He expressed strong confidence in her track record of delivering positive results for students and their families, emphasizing her transition from classroom teacher to founding principal of a charter school.
This journey reflects her steadfast belief in school choice, aligning with Trump’s goal of empowering states and enhancing educational opportunities for all.
Trump’s Education Policy Vision
A core tenet of Trump’s education policy centers on reducing the federal government’s influence by eventually dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and advocating for increased options in private schooling.
Penny Schwinn’s career in K-12 education is marked by significant achievements.
From 2019 to 2023, she served as Tennessee’s chief education officer under Republican Governor Bill Lee.
Her educational journey began with Teach for America in Baltimore, where she honed her skills before taking on leadership roles in Delaware and Texas, eventually landing in Tennessee.
Most recently, she has been associated with the University of Florida.
While in her role as education chief in Tennessee, Schwinn spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving teacher training and advancing evidence-based literacy programs in early education.
One of her standout accomplishments was launching Tennessee’s federally recognized teacher apprenticeship program, making it the first state to offer such an initiative.
Challenges and Reflections
During her tenure, Schwinn tackled several challenging educational policy issues, including implementing state laws that restricted discussions of race and racism in schools.
This stance garnered both support and criticism from various groups, including progressive factions and conservative organizations like a local Moms for Liberty chapter, which voiced their concerns over her handling of a specific children’s book on the civil rights movement.
In a discussion with education policy expert Rick Hess in 2023, Schwinn reflected on her decision to step back from her position.
She cited the increasing toxicity of discussions surrounding contentious cultural topics as a significant factor.
Although she recognized a growing interest in school choice, she emphasized that legislative changes alone do not suffice.
Instead, Schwinn advocated for clear communication to parents, fiscal accountability, and transparent criteria for evaluating educational quality and outcomes.
Additionally, Trump appointed Eric Bledsoe as a special assistant focused on domestic policy in education.
Before taking on this role, Bledsoe served as senior director of civics at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and taught at Florida State University.
Source: Edweek