Chancellor David C. Banks Names Simone Hawkins as Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood Education

NEW YORK- Schools Chancellor David C. Banks today announced the appointment of Simone C. Hawkins as Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Early Childhood Education for New York City Public Schools. Ms. Hawkins, who has a long and distinguished career as a leader in early childhood education, will report to Chancellor Banks and collaborate with the rest of the chancellor’s cabinet to strengthen early childhood programming and operations across the city.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Simone Hawkins as our new Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood Education,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “Her expertise in early childhood education and her ability to implement complex, large-scale operations make her just the right person to take the helm at this critically important time, as we scale NYC Reads citywide and further strengthen our collaboration with and support for our early childhood providers. I am eager to see all that Deputy Chancellor Hawkins accomplishes on behalf of our students and families, and I am confident our Division of Early Childhood will thrive under her leadership.”

Ms. Hawkins, who previously worked under this administration as the Chief Executive of Early Childhood Operations, is rejoining New York City Public Schools from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene where she most recently served as Chief Equity Officer and Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness. Ms. Hawkins has also held roles as the Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Child Care in the Division of Environmental Health at DOHMH, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Covenant House, Deputy Director of Budget and Operations at The Children’s Aid Society, and as a Senior Budget Analyst for the New York City Office of Management and Budget, where she managed over six billion dollars for the education task force.

As Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Early Childhood Education, Ms. Hawkins’ portfolio will oversee birth to 5 education, including 3K and Pre-K, and the implementation of NYC Reads in early childhood classrooms. Ms. Hawkins begins in this position on July 29th.

“I am proud to welcome Simone C. Hawkins as our new Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Early Childhood Education and thank her for bringing her remarkable expertise and passion back to New York City Public Schools,” said City Hall Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “Her long and distinguished career as a leader in early childhood education is a testament to her unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and empowering our future. I have full confidence that under her guidance, our city's youngest learners will thrive, and our schools will continue to be a beacon of excellence and opportunity.”

“Simone Hawkins is a dynamic leader who is committed to reducing health disparities and achieving equity across New York City,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “She is an exemplary champion of excellence in health equity, dedicated to ensuring the city is prepared to support improved health outcomes and well-being for all New Yorkers. Hawkins will be an outstanding advocate for young schoolchildren and families.”

“The return of Simone Hawkins to New York City Public Schools signals hope for families who have struggled to access high-quality childcare and providers who have had to work through extensive payment delays,” said Susan Stamler, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses. "Deputy Chancellor Hawkins values our early childhood education workforce, understands program operations, and is the right person to rebuild the infrastructure of early childhood education programs to address the needs of our city’s children. We look forward to her leadership and working with her.”

"Simone brings with her a breadth of experience in direct service and city government. This background will position her well to lead the operational and programmatic reforms needed to stabilize and strengthen the early care and education system, and importantly ensure services are reaching children and families. We look forward to partnering with her, the city administration, and the City Council to build a more sustainable and universal ECE system that meets the needs of New Yorkers," said Jennifer March, Executive Director at Citizens' Committee for Children of New York.