About Kátia Schweickardt
Kátia Schweickardt is the National Secretary of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education. A Full Professor at the Federal University of Amazonas, she served as Municipal Secretary of the Environment from 2013 to 2015 and as Municipal Secretary of Education in Manaus from 2015 to 2020. When she took over SEMED-Manaus, the city ranked 20th among Brazilian capitals in the Basic Education Development Index (IDEB), and under her leadership, it rose to be among the top 10. This achievement was the result of integrated and collaborative management, shaped by many hands, driven by inspiring and motivating leadership, and above all, built on extensive hands-on learning in education through the collective implementation of Full-Time Education Schools in Manaus and the reorganization, reconstruction, and "redoing" of teacher training processes. Her management style was learned through daily practice and the transformative work of riverside and Indigenous schools in the Amazon. She currently serves as the National Secretary of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education. In 2020, she was awarded the Inês de Vasconcelos Medal by the Legislative Assembly of Amazonas for her significant contributions to public education. She also received the 2020 Espírito Público Award as a national standout in the Education category.
