Trump Appoints Penny Schwinn, Former Tennessee Schools Chief, as New Deputy Education Secretary

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Penny Schwinn, the former education commissioner of Tennessee, has been appointed as the deputy education secretary in the new Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump announced this choice in a post on Truth Social. He praised Schwinn for her results-oriented approach to education, although he mistakenly called her Peggy instead of Penny.

Schwinn’s background is extensive. She began her career with Teach for America in Baltimore and founded a charter school. With significant administrative experience in multiple states and at the University of Florida, she stands out compared to Trump’s education secretary pick, Linda McMahon, a co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee spoke highly of Schwinn, calling her a “true conservative” with a strong grasp of educational issues. During her tenure in Tennessee, Schwinn led crucial changes in school funding and literacy programs, especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, her time in office was not without challenges. There were notable controversies such as high staff turnover and a no-bid contract with a company handling Tennessee’s voucher program. Many legislators expressed frustration over new initiatives that they felt were rolled out without sufficient consultation.

Cultural conservatives also criticized Schwinn for not addressing progressive teaching approaches on race and history and for proposing “well-being checks” for students not in school, which raised concerns among parent groups.

Some commentators were surprised by her appointment, suggesting that Schwinn’s prior affiliations might not align with Trump’s administration. JC Bowman, a frequent critic during her term, remarked that her appointment seemed unexpected given her record.

During Schwinn’s four years in Tennessee, she tackled significant challenges, particularly those posed by the pandemic. The state was recognized for its focused efforts to help students recover from learning losses. Schwinn expressed pride in Tennessee’s leadership during such tough times, claiming it performed exceptionally compared to other states.

Schwinn’s career began in Baltimore, where she started with Teach for America in 2004. She later established Capitol Collegiate Academy, a charter school in Sacramento, and held various leadership roles, including a position in Texas as chief deputy commissioner of academics.

In Tennessee, she played a key role in updating the state’s 30-year-old education funding formula, ensuring that funds would follow students and aid those most in need. She also initiated several programs to enhance literacy and support students recovering from pandemic-related challenges. This included expanding teacher training programs and addressing the teacher shortage.

Despite her initiatives, issues persisted. In her early months, many workers left the education department, which raised concerns about stability and management. Schwinn faced criticism for implementing changes without adequate legislative input, among other issues.

Most recently, Schwinn worked as a vice president at the University of Florida. She coordinated efforts between university programs and K-12 schools while working remotely from Tennessee. However, following changes in university leadership, her position was not renewed.

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