Coronavirus Claims Lives Of 63 NYC Educators

NEW YORK CITY — More than 60 New York City educators have lost their lives to novel coronavirus, the Department of Education announced Monday.

Sixty-three paraprofessionals, teachers and school staffers had died from COVID-19 as of April 17, said DOE spokesperson Miranda Barbot.

"Each of these individuals had an impact on one of our schools or offices," Barbot said. "We are so thankful to all of our employees for playing a critical role in the City’s fight against COVID-19."

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New York City lost 26 paraprofessionals, 25 teachers, two administrators, four facilities staff members, two school aides, a parent coordinator, a guidance counselor and two central office workers, according to the Department of Eduction.

That's 13 lives lost since the Department's last update released last week.

Have you or your child lost a teacher who stepped up and made a difference for New York City students during the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know at PatchNYC@patch.com using the subject line "NYC Teachers."

This announcement comes as the Special Commissioner for Investigations for city schools probes the Department of Education's bid to hide coronavirus infection information before schools were closed.

The nation's largest school system, responsible for 1.1 million students, shut down on March 16 one week before Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statewide stay-at-home order.

Students, parents, teachers and elected officials spent weeks pleading with Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo — who still cannot agree which has authority over the city's schools — to shut down New York campuses.

Department of Education staff members in need of support can access free counseling though New York City's Employee Assistance Program.

Said Barbot, "We will be here every step of the way."

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