President Obama will officially tap John King Jr. to head the Department of Education, where he has been serving as acting secretary since the beginning of the year, the White House said in a statement Thursday.
King will replace Arne Duncan, who stepped down in December after serving six years in the post.
Obama called King “an exceptionally talented educator,” and cited his commitment to “preparing every child for success” as well as his lifelong dedication to education as a teacher, principal and leader of schools and school systems.
“There is nobody better to continue leading our ongoing efforts to work toward preschool for all, prepare our kids so that they are ready for college and career and make college more affordable,” Obama said in a statement.
Before becoming acting secretary, King since early 2015 served as principal senior adviser. Prior to that, King was commissioner of education for the state of New York after working as a director of a non-profit charter management organization operating some urban public schools in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
King began his career in education teaching high school social studies in Puerto Rico and Boston.
At first, the president seemed content to allow King to remain as an acting secretary but now would like him to become a full-fledged member of his Cabinet with a Senate confirmation as Congress works on reauthorization of higher education legislation.
“John knows from his own incredible life experience how education can transform a child’s future,” Obama said. “I look forward to the Senate working in a bipartisan way to confirm John quickly and continuing their work with him to tackle the vital challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
