Cindy Marten

Cynthia Minette Marten is an American educator and government official who served as the 11th United States deputy secretary of education from 2021 to 2025. Marten previously served as the superintendent of San Diego Unified School District from 2013 until her confirmation as deputy secretary in May 2021.

Education Marten earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and master's degree in teaching and learning from the University of California, San Diego.

Career Marten spent 32 years as an educator, holding various roles of increasing responsibility as a teacher, literacy specialist, vice principal, and principal. For 10 years she worked at Central Elementary School in City Heights. As a teacher, instructional leader, and later as principal, she placed an emphasis on social and emotional learning and the arts, combined with academics.

Marten's nomination by President Joe Biden to be deputy secretary of education was submitted to the United States Senate on February 22, 2021,

Governor-elect Matt Meyer nominated Marten to become Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education in January 2025.

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