Teacher, Author,
10th U.S. Secretary of Education
John B. King Jr. bio
John B. King Jr. served in President Barack Obama’s cabinet as the tenth U.S. Secretary of Education. Over the course of his extensive and influential career in public education, he has been a high school social studies teacher, a middle school principal, the first African American and Puerto Rican to serve as New York State Education Commissioner, a college professor, and the president and CEO of the Education Trust, a national education civil rights organization.
King is currently the chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), the nation’s largest comprehensive system of public higher education. Both of King’s parents were career New York City public school educators.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, an education researcher and former teacher, and his two daughters.
To book John for a speaking engagement, please email info@teacherbyteacher.com.
Teacher by Teacher
Teacher By Teacher traces the inspiring journey of John B. King Jr., the 10th U.S. Secretary of Education, and serves as a heartfelt tribute to teachers. After losing his mother, King found solace in school, even as he faced life alone with a father battling undiagnosed Alzheimer’s. His public school teachers saw his potential, giving him a second chance when others might have dismissed him. King went on to earn degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and Yale, dedicating his career to helping young people as his teachers once helped him.
Teacher By Teacher will inspire everyone who believes in the transformative power of education and the life-changing impact of mentorship, especially for those who are underserved by public institutions and social systems in America.
Teacher By Teacher is available April 29, 2025
