Dr. Penny Schwinn was sworn in as Tennessee’s education commissioner on February 1, 2019.

As commissioner, Dr. Schwinn is committed to building on Tennessee’s momentum over the last decade, and accelerate growth through the state’s strategic plan, Best For All, which focuses on high-quality academics, student readiness and supports, and the state’s current and future educators.

Commissioner Schwinn began her work as a high school history and economics teacher; previously serving as a Chief Deputy Commissioner of Academics, an Assistant Superintendent, a school principal, and an elected school board member.

Commissioner Schwinn earned her Bachelor of Arts from the UC-Berkeley, her Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and her PhD in Education Policy from Claremont.

She is the proud parent of two daughters in Tennessee public schools, and a son not yet school age.