KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — President-elect Donald Trump announced Penny Schwinn as the next United States Deputy Secretary of Education. The announcement came on Saturday morning on the social media platform Truth Social.
Schwinn previously served in the Tennessee Department of Education in February 2019. She also served as the chief deputy commissioner of academics. Before that, she served as a high school teacher, assistant superintendent, school principal and school board member.
According to Trump, she had experience at the Texas Education Agency, as the deputy commissioner of standards and engagement, deputy commissioner of special populations and monitoring, and chief deputy commissioner of academics.
“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,” Trump said. “Congratulations to Penny and her wonderful family!”
Schwinn stepped down from her role as education commissioner after the 2022-2023 school year.