Date of Birth: November 6, 1964
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Biography
Arne Duncan is an American public servant and education advocate, best known for his tenure as the U.S. Secretary of Education from 2009 to 2015 under President Barack Obama. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Duncan’s commitment to education was influenced by his mother’s work in an after-school tutoring program. He attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and subsequently Harvard University, where he earned a degree in sociology. After college, Duncan played professional basketball in Australia before returning to the United States to focus on education reform. Duncan began his career in education in the Chicago Public Schools system, where he served in various roles before being appointed CEO of Chicago Public Schools in 2001. His work in Chicago caught the attention of President Obama, who appointed him Secretary of Education. During his tenure, Duncan championed initiatives like Race to the Top, which incentivized educational innovation and reform, and advocated for the Common Core State Standards. After leaving the Department of Education in 2015, Duncan continued his work in the education sector through various organizations, including the Emerson Collective and the Arnold Ventures. He remains a vocal advocate for educational equity and reform.
5 Interesting Facts about Arne Duncan
1. Arne Duncan played professional basketball in Australia for the Eastside Spectres of the National Basketball League.
2. He was appointed CEO of Chicago Public Schools in 2001 and held the position until 2008.
3. Duncan’s mother, Sue Duncan, ran an after-school tutoring program in their home, which significantly influenced his career path.
4. As Secretary of Education, he oversaw the implementation of the Race to the Top program, which allocated $4.35 billion to states for education reform.
5. After leaving his role as Secretary of Education, Duncan joined the Emerson Collective, an organization focused on education and social justice.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arne Duncan
1. “Education is the civil rights issue of our generation.”
2. “We have to educate our way to a better economy.”
3. “The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.”
4. “The best ideas come from people who have a passion for what they do.”
5. “We need to make sure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Arne Duncan’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Arne Duncan and his wife, Karen Leanne Duncan, have two children: a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Claire.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Arne Duncan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne_Duncan
2. [Biography – Arne Duncan](https://www.biography.com/political-figure/arne-duncan
3. [U.S. Department of Education – Arne Duncan](https://www.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/arne-duncan
4. [Emerson Collective](https://www.emersoncollective.com/
