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From the moment that Greenwich resident Linda McMahon first got nominated to become Trump's Education Secretary, democrats from all across the state and country, including in Greenwich, along with the teachers unions, complained that she wasn't qualified to run the Department of Education.

Her experience included co-founding and running a multi-billion dollar company, heading up the Small Business Association during the first Trump Administration, running the America First Policy Institute, and serving as a member on the Connecticut State Board of Education and as a trustee at Sacred Heart University.

As far as the democrats were concerned, that just wasn't good enough for McMahon to qualify for the top Education job in the country.

It made us wonder what the qualifications were for the current top democrat in education in Connecticut, Charlene Russell-Tucker, who was appointed as Commissioner for the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) by Gov. Ned Lamont in August 2021.

The "get to know you" about Russell-Tucker on the state's website didn't exactly detail her qualifications to run Education in Connecticut, though we were told she is a "sought after national education leader."

"Commissioner Russell-Tucker has extensive teaching experience, formerly serving as an adjunct faculty member at Albertus Magnus College School of New Dimensions," the state's website says.

Her resume shows she worked for nearly 39 years at CSDE in a variety of capacities.

And yes, she also got a side gig as an adjunct faculty member at Albertus’ Division of Professional and Graduate Studies after completing her Master of Science in Management (MSM) at Albertus in 1999.

That is not an education degree, mind you, but a management degree.

Albertus says the MSM program is "designed to equip a new generation of diverse and ethical leaders with the practical skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing business landscape."

The list of possible careers does not explicitly mention education, but it does include government management.

We still couldn't help but wonder if Russell-Tucker had K-12 education experience in Connecticut, especially since we knew she did not attend any K-12 schools in the United States; she completed her primary and secondary schooling in Jamaica.

In 2015, Connecticut's Education Commissioner was expected to have a "record of success in improving educational outcomes on a large scale and a record of working collaboratively with all stakeholders (i.e., students, families, educators, legislators, state agencies, educational interest groups, higher education, and the business and industry community)."

It was preferred that candidates have a minimum of ten years experience in a high-level educational leadership role, and an advanced degree in education.

But by the time 2019 rolled around -- that's when Miguel Cardona was appointed CSDE Commissioner by Lamont -- the job description had been changed.

No longer were candidates required to have ten years experience in an educational leadership role or an advanced degree in education.

Instead, qualified applicants in 2019 needed to demonstrate:

1. Knowledge and experience relevant to the State Board of Education’s Five-year Comprehensive Plan goal of stuffing more equity into education: Ensuring Equity and Excellence for All Connecticut Students (note that document has since been updated and STILL emphasizes DEI goals); and
2. Success in leading large-scale change related to the components of Connecticut’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan, which was also about jamming more DEI into education, but interestingly this plan also consulted organizations like GLSEN, formerly the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which pushes gender ideology and transgenderism into schools.

This time around, applicants were required to "demonstrate the ability to manage an effective, efficient organization and work successfully with the legislature and education constituency groups, including the general public."

Cardona's experience prior to serving as CSDE Commissioner included 16 years in educational leadership positions for Meriden Public Schools, along with multiple degrees in education, including an "advanced" degree -- a Doctor of Education from UConn.

He's also the guy behind the course that all CT public high schools are required to offer on Black and Latino history -- a class that is rooted in critical race theory.

Cardona vacated his CSDE position when he became Education Secretary under the Autopen President in 2021. Russell-Tucker took over in the interim.

It's unclear if a formal search was done to find applicants for CSDE Commissioner, but we do know that Lamont said Russell-Tucker’s leadership during the interim period had been "so impressive that he asked her to permanently fill the position."

Russell-Tucker's experience includes an "Associate in Arts" from Greater Hartford Community College, now CT State Community College - Capital; a B.S. from St. Joseph College in Nutrition; and a Masters in Management from Albertus Magnus.

She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who began her career "advocating for children as a Head Start nutrition coordinator, working hands-on to plan menus and perform nutrition consultations for children with specific health needs."

She's also a career bureaucrat, having spent nearly four decades at CSDE, her only listed job experience besides the adjunct faculty role on her resume.

When Russell-Tucker took over as Commissioner, the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) noted that her goals included, "ensuring safe and healthy schools, expanding social emotional learning, achieving equity and diversity and prioritizing the well-being of students and educators alike, which she called critical to the state’s success."

CEA President Kate Dias further described Russell-Tucker as "a champion of a racially and socially just and equitable education system" -- convenient if you want to push DEI.

Perhaps that's why Russell-Tucker—who has no degrees or certifications in education—was deemed qualified for the job of "ensuring equity in education" in Connecticut.

Of course, we're assuming one of the reasons that nearly 42% of people in this state voted for President Trump is because he promised to end divisive equity / DEI programs.

Here is CSDE’s response to the FOIA request we filed to fact check Russell-Tucker’s qualifications:

1. Evidence of completion of all degrees by Charlene Russell Tucker, including but not limited to: a transcript and/or letter of verification from the college(s)/university(ies) attended, including the locations such college(s)/university(ies) as well as major/concentration and dates of completion;

The SDE does not maintain the records described above.  However, we have prepared for you a summary of Commissioner Russell-Tucker’s credentials.  You may also view Commissioner Russell-Tucker’s biographical information at: About CSDE--Commissioner

2. A copy of Charlene Russell Tucker's completed Connecticut teacher certification, including the grades for which she is certified to teach in Connecticut, subject areas and dates of completion;

The SDE does not have any responsive records.

3. A copy of Charlene Russell Tucker's Connecticut administrators' certification, also referred to as a 092, including date of completion; 

The SDE does not have any responsive records.

4. A copy of Charlene Russell Tucker's completed Connecticut superintendent's certification, also known as a 093, including the date of completion; 

The SDE does not have any responsive records.

5. Evidence of the names of all public kindergarten to 12 schools within which Charlene Russell Tucker has worked in Connecticut, the dates and the positions held;

The SDE does not have any responsive records.

6. Evidence of any other certifications not specifically requested above for Charlene Russell Tucker; and

The SDE does not have any responsive records.

7. Please provide a copy of the job description and qualifications required for the role of Commissioner of Education circa January 2015 for Dr. Dianna Wentzell.

The SDE has attached the responsive record.

Additional file provided by CSDE: Testimony of Commissioner Tucker-Russell dated February 6, 2023, as delivered to the Connecticut General Assembly Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.

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