ANNE-MARIE AIGNER
Commissioner of Early Education and Care Samantha Aigner-Treworgy is sworn in by Governor Charlie Baker as the Commissioner’s mother, Anne-Marie Aigner, looks on.
Boston – Governor Charlie Baker today swore in Samantha L. Aigner-Treworgy as the new Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care, the lead agency for early childhood programs and services in the Commonwealth.
“Samantha Aigner-Treworgy is an experienced early educator and policymaker who will make an excellent Commissioner of Early Education and Care,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to her leadership in this role and the work she will do to ensure children in the Commonwealth benefit from a strong early education.”
“Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy is a high-caliber leader committed to advancing a strong system of care for working families and supporting early learning for children in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am confident that her experience and dedication will serve the department well.”
Earlier this summer Education Secretary James Peyser appointed Ms. Aigner-Treworgy to the commissioner role, following a unanimous recommendation by the Board of Early Education and Care. The Department of Early Education and Care is part of the Education Secretariat, one of nine Executive Offices under Governor Charlie Baker.
“Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy brings a depth of experience in early education that will benefit children and child care providers across the Commonwealth,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.
Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy grew up in Massachusetts and began her career in early education and care as a preschool teacher in Illinois. For the past decade she has worked in early education policymaking, finance and systems improvement. Most recently, Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy was the chief of early learning for the City of Chicago where she led the implementation of the city’s early childhood plan to provide universal full-day pre-kindergarten to all four-year-old children in the city. In this role she oversaw approximately $350 million in early childhood funding across multiple city agencies, including coordination of birth-to-five services in schools, community-based organizations and home visiting programs.
“I am excited to be back in my home state, helping strengthen quality early learning opportunities for thousands of children in the Commonwealth to provide a solid foundation for their future learning and success,” said Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy. “It’s an honor to be a part of the Baker-Polito Administration and I’m looking forward to working with the Secretary, Board of Early Education and Care, and team at the Department to drive results and positively impact the lives of families.”
Commissioner Aigner-Treworgy graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Sociology, and received a Master’s in Public Policy and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago’s dual degree program at the Harris School of Public Policy and School of Social Administration, where her studies concentrated on education and families.
About the Department of Early Education and Care:
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licenses child care programs, residential programs, and adoption/foster care placement agencies; and provides information and referral services, inclusive programming for children with special needs, parenting and family support, and professional development opportunities for early educators. EEC’s mission is to provide a system of early education and care and out-of-school time in Massachusetts that provides all children with the necessary foundation for healthy and positive educational development and lifelong success. For more information about the Department of Early Education and Care, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/eec.