Hanna Skandera, Gov.-elect Susana Martinez' choice for New Mexico Secretary of Public Education, served as Deputy Commissioner under former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush--and has advocated for smaller schools.

In a press release, Martinez calls Skandera, who made the case for small schools in a 2003 Hoover Digest paper, a "proven reformer."

A second release from Martinez' office bears the following endorsement from Bush, whose education reform efforts in Florida have yielded mixed results:

“Hanna is a passionate, effective advocate for improving student achievement. Her vast academic, government and professional experience in education makes her an incredible asset to New Mexico as they work to improve student outcomes.”

Photo courtesy Pepperdine University.