What to Know
- New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña announced her departure from the Department of Education on Thursday
- She led NYC schools for four years and implemented many of Mayor de Blasio's education policies, including universal pre-kindergarten
- Fariña was a deputy schools chancellor, principal and teacher in the city school system before becoming its top educator
The head of the nation's largest public school system says she will retire in the coming months.
Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said Thursday that she's proud of her four years leading the nation's largest public school system. The school system has 1.1 million students.
Her impending departure was first reported by News 4 New York on Wednesday.
Mayor de Blasio announced Fariña's impending retirement at City Hall. He said "people felt they were in good hands" withFariña.
The 74-year-old Fariña was a former teacher, principal and superintendent who came out of retirement to join de Blasio's administration.
She helped implement the Democratic mayor's signature program: universal prekindergarten.
De Blasio said he asked a lot of Fariña and she gave "even more."
Local
He said that a nationwide search for a new chancellor is under way.
