President-elect Donald Trump just tapped two smart, tough women to help lead his administration: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, as his US ambassador to the United Nations, and Betsy DeVos, as his education secretary.

Both are excellent picks.

DeVos has been fighting for education reform for decades, demanding that every parent be able to choose a school that can help each child achieve his or her potential.

This is a pick that the teachers unions — who usually expect to have the Education Department in their pocket, even under Republican presidents — already hate.

Not least because she’s effective: DeVos won rave reviews (from Republicans) as head of the Michigan GOP, and as an activist and philanthropist has helped foster dramatic pro-kid education reform in multiple states.

Guess what, New York City charter schools? Come January, you’re going to have a potent friend in Washington.

By picking Haley, meanwhile, the president-elect proves yet again he’s willing to work with his former critics within the GOP. She had tough words for him during the primaries — saying, for example, that he was “everything a governor doesn’t want in a president.”

That easily could’ve gotten her blackballed. Indeed, Trump is helping this rising Republican star rise — letting her gain crucial experience en route, presumably, to yet higher office.

It will also send an interesting message to the world to have America represented at the United Nations by the daughter of Indian immigrants.

Expect to see more surprising Trump picks to come.