Former Tennessee Education Commissioner, Penny Schwinn, has been picked by President Donald Trump to be the Deputy Secretary of Education.

“Penny has a strong record of delivering results for children and families,” Trump commented. “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.”

Schwinn is currently the vice president for K-12 education at the University of Florida.  She began her career in education as a high school history and economics teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. She also has been involved in education in South Los Angeles and has worked in the private sector. She then served on the board of education for Sacramento County, California. After being a principal and board member, she served as the Assistant Secretary of Education of Delaware. She later served as the Deputy Commissioner of Standards and Engagement, Deputy Commissioner of Special Populations and Monitoring, and Chief Deputy Commissioner of Academics at the Texas Education Agency. In 2019, she left the agency, after being appointed by Governor Bill Lee to become the next Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education.In  2023, Schwinn stepped down as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education.

Schwinn will serve under Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon.