Appointed by Bill de Blasio Name Carmen Farina Nationality United States | Mayor Michael Bloomberg Preceded by Dennis Walcott Role Educator | |
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A conversation with nyc schools chancellor carmen fari a
Carmen Fariña (née Guillén; born April 5, 1943, Brooklyn, New York) is the current New York City Schools Chancellor, the head of the New York City Department of Education. The announcement of her selection by Mayor Elect Bill de Blasio occurred on December 30, 2013. She is the first New York City Schools Chancellor to have had schools supervision training and experience since Board of Education chancellor Rudy Crew. Fariña was a teacher, principal, superintendent, and the Deputy Chancellor of Teaching and Learning from 2004 to 2006.
Contents
- A conversation with nyc schools chancellor carmen fari a
- New york city department of education s chancellor carmen fari a briefs the press ogtv
- Early career
- Personal life
- Controversy
- References
New york city department of education s chancellor carmen fari a briefs the press ogtv
Early career
Fariña started her career at P.S. 29 in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, where she flourished as a classroom teacher specializing in the social sciences. Throughout her 22 years there, "she was beginning to make a name for herself across the city, pioneering a curriculum that blended social studies and literacy." As District 15's Core Curriculum Coordinator, Fariña published her multicultural and interdisciplinary program, "Making Connections", a model that the then Board of Education replicated in every district in the city.
In 1991, Fariña was asked to serve as principal of P.S. 6 – a role she assumed until 2001. Fariña further improved academic achievement by overhauling the school's culture. Under her leadership, the school's ranking among public elementary schools on the citywide reading test rose from 76th to fourth from 1988-97, with 91.8 percent of students reading at grade level. She achieved reportedly visited each classroom daily to encourage teachers to share best practices, and enhancing staff training. During this time, she was also an adjunct professor at Bank Street College: P.S. 6 served as a model site for prospective principals, hosting more than 500 visitors a year.
She left P.S. 6 in 2001 after being elected Community Superintendent of Brooklyn's District 15. She later served as Superintendent of Region 8. From 2004-06, Fariña served as Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the Department of Education, where she invested $40 million to expand programs for middle school students, including Saturday classes, organizational and study skills workshops, and parent counseling. She also improved services for students with disabilities.
Personal life
Born to Galician parents who fled Spain during the Spanish Civil War, Fariña was the only Spanish-speaker in her kindergarten class and learned English in school. The language barrier was so severe, that Fariña's "teacher marked her absent every day for six weeks because Carmen then [sur]named Guillén, did not answer when the teacher, who was of Irish background, called Quillan during roll call."
She was the first person in her family to attend college. She holds a Bachelor of Science from New York University and three master's degrees from Brooklyn College (Bilingual Education), Fordham University (Gifted/Arts Education), and Pace University (Administration and Supervision).
Controversy
On February 13, 2014 the East Coast was hit with heavy snowstorms. Under Fariña and Mayor Bill De Blasio, NYC public schools were kept open despite area wide travel advisories issued for residents to stay home. This decision was criticized by teacher unions, parents and on social media websites. Ms. Fariña was quoted stating "it's a beautiful day outside". Her statement came under fire as the city saw up to 9.5 inches of snow that day.