John King Jr.
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| John King Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Name | John King Jr. |
| Birth date | 1975 |
| Birth place | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (BA), Yale University (MA), Stanford University (PhD) |
| Occupation | Educator, government official |
| Title | 10th United States Secretary of Education |
| Term start | 2016 |
| Term end | 2017 |
| Predecessor | Arne Duncan |
| Successor | Betsy DeVos |
| Spouse | Melissa Steel |
John King Jr. is an American educator and government official who served as the tenth United States Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama. His career has been defined by a focus on educational equity, school improvement, and expanding access to high-quality instruction, particularly for underserved student populations. Prior to his federal service, he held significant leadership roles in New York state government and within charter school management organizations.
Early life and education
Born in Brooklyn, his early life was marked by profound personal tragedy with the passing of both his parents by the time he was twelve years old. He found stability and purpose through education, attending Harvard University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government. He subsequently pursued a Master of Arts in the teaching of social studies from Teachers College at Columbia University and later completed a Juris Doctor at Yale Law School. Demonstrating a deep commitment to educational leadership, he also earned a Doctor of Philosophy in education from the Stanford University Graduate School of Education.
Career
His professional journey began in the classroom as a high school social studies teacher in San Juan, Puerto Rico and later in Boston. He co-founded and served as co-director for curriculum and instruction at the Roxbury Preparatory Charter School in Massachusetts, a school noted for its success with students of color. He later joined Uncommon Schools, a nonprofit charter management organization, as a managing director. In 2011, he was appointed Commissioner of Education for the State of New York, where he oversaw the implementation of the Common Core State Standards Initiative and controversial teacher evaluation systems. In 2015, he joined the U.S. Department of Education as Deputy Secretary, ascending to the role of United States Secretary of Education in 2016 following the departure of Arne Duncan. After his tenure in Washington, D.C., he became the President and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit advocacy organization.
Personal life
He is married to Melissa Steel, and the couple has two daughters. His personal experiences with loss and the transformative power of dedicated educators have been cited as foundational to his professional mission. He has been open about how teachers in the New York City Public Schools system provided critical support during his childhood, directly influencing his lifelong dedication to improving educational systems.
Legacy and impact
His legacy is centered on persistent advocacy for closing achievement gaps and ensuring all students have access to rigorous college-preparatory curricula. As Secretary, he prioritized the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, promoted computer science education, and issued guidance supporting the rights of transgender students. His work at The Education Trust continues to focus on issues of equity in funding, advanced coursework access, and school discipline. His career trajectory from classroom teacher to state and federal policymaker exemplifies a data-driven approach to systemic education reform aimed at expanding opportunity.
Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:United States Secretaries of Education Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Yale Law School alumni Category:Stanford University alumni Category:American education officials Category:People from Brooklyn